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Peter & John — 1 Peter 5:5-11

22 Jan

1 Peter 5:5-11 NIV
[5] In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. [8] Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. [10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. [11] To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Dear God, when I selected these verses this morning I didn’t realize how many different admonition are in here. I think I need to break them down.

  1. Younger people submit yourself to elders – This can be hard to do because there are just some things that young people haven’t experienced yet. Life looks a lot clearer at 18 than it does at 45. And it probably looks clearer at 45 than it does 65. My wife and I were talking yesterday morning about how our perspective on things changes after we experience the humility of parenthood, careers, failure, caring for aging parents, etc. All of that seems a lot easier before you’ve done it. To be sure, the people in my life who have been quickest to give me parenting advice are those with no children. Those with children often know better. So I should definitely be more humble in my relationships with elders.
  2. Humble yourself before each other and God – Ah, that was an unintentional segue when I said humble at the end of number 1. This is just a good command. If everyone is proud then you get what we have right now in Washington and leaking into the rest oof the country. Or maybe it’s the rest of the country that’s leaking up to Washington. Regardless, whether it’s in your own home, you workplace, your church, or your interactions with others, it’s a lot better and it’s going to go more smoothly if we humble ourselves rather than be proud and arrogant.
  3. Cast my cares on God – That can be hard to do. It is certainly a learned skill. And then, as I’ve said before, there’s a fine line between living by faith and living in denial. It only comes through prayer and intentionally humbling (there’s that word again) myself before you.
  4. Be alert and resist Satan – Just remembering that Satan is there and working against us is a big part of the battle. It’s easy to see everything around us and forget that it is actually Satan attacking. There is suffering, but that’s where casting our cares on you comes in.
  5. In the end, through God’s help you will be strong and steadfast – This is all actually a nicely structured admonition from Peter. There is simply no way to become strong without suffering. It doesn’t work. Whether it’s physical strength or spiritual strength, that’s what it takes to learn to live in your peace.

Father, with all of this said, help me to live under Peter’s admonition today. Help me to respect and submit to my elders. Help me to live I humility. Help me to cast my cares on you and be aware of and resist Satan. And help me to stand firm in you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 22, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 5:1-4

21 Jan

1 Peter 5:1-4 (NLT)
And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

Dear God, I’m not an elder in the church, but I am a leader of an organization and a person who is involved in a lot of aspects in our community. The question for me, I think, is, what are you calling me to do to care about the people around me? How should I care for the flock entrusted to me? How do I do it with humble love?

If I were to make a list of the needs in our community that are on my radar it would get out of control quickly. Just off of the top of my head:

  • Early childhood intervention for children in poverty
  • Human sex trafficking
  • Drugs and substances like vaping in the schools
  • Social worker for the school to help with situation-by-situation interventions
  • Domestic violence
  • Men’s Bible study for those economically disadvantaged

A couple of those tangentially touch my vocation, but none of them would be part of our organization’s mission statement. Any involvement in them would be absolutely extra work for me. Thankfully, you partnered me with others who have been able to take up the domestic violence issue and there is now a group taking that and running with it without me. And I know there is a nonprofit along with churches in town who are looking at childcare–perhaps not real intervention for traumatized children, but it’s a start. In fact, most of these things have others who care about these issues besides me. I think what I need to do is figure out at what level you want me to be involved in each one through prayer to you and the Holy Spirit’s leadership.

Then there is the leadership I need to provide to my own family. What does my wife need from me? What do my children need? There has been one thought that came to me a week ago regarding one of my adult children, and I still feel like I need a lot of wisdom from you before I know what to do about it. But I know that, whatever you call me to do, you want me to do it through gentle love and not by lording it over them.

Father, help me to know how to lead, and also help me to know how to follow and be an easy person for others in authority over me to lead. Help me to not grumble, but to find ways to finish the race and complete the tasks you have given to me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 21, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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The Prodigal Son — Luke 14:11-24

20 Jan

Luke 15:11-24 NIV
[11] Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. [12] The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. [13] “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. [14] After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. [15] So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. [16] He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. [17] “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ [20] So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. [21] “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ [22] “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Dear God, before I get into this story, I want to do my best to identify all of the art panels, small as they are, in the border of this artwork. Starting at the top left:

  • Broken chains
  • “HOME” or, if you look at it the right way, “LOVE”
  • Two arrows pointing to the cross
  • U-turn
  • Cross
  • “My son was dead and alive again”
  • “He was lost and is found”
  • “!!!!!!!!!!” [kind of cool to have those following the two lines from the father.]
  • “You went after worth [??] and become worthless”
  • Star of David [before a psalm]
  • “Before I formed you in the womb I knew year”
  • “Only remember and be satisfied.” [this seems to be the last of three messages from God to the son.]
  • Three tears
  • A dove [images of God’s forgiveness and of the Holy Spirit before the son’s response]
  • “We believe and we are blessed.”
  • A running figure
  • “If I ascend to heaven you are there. If I make my bed in hell you are there.” [YOU ARE THERE emphasized both times. Interesting that he is bringing the psalms into the son’s thoughts with this and the part about the womb.]
  • Crown
  • “The children the promise [??] as offspring” [couldn’t tell what that third part said, but I think it comes from “The children of the promise are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.”]
  • A key
  • A lock
  • “And I run down that aisle”
  • Musical notes
  • Regular star surrounded by circles [other stars]
  • “[??] mute or deaf or seeing or blind” [I think this is a reference to Exodus 4:11 Exodus 4:11 NIV
    [11] The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?]
  • Alpha and Omega in Greek letters
  • “The greatest of these is LOVE”
  • Heart with an infinity sign in the middle of it.
  • “Wonderful counselor, almighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace.”
  • “No!”
  • “Please” [If read clockwise, No! is first. If read left to right, please is first.]
  • Broken heart
  • “And I will make a new covenant with you.”
  • “!” [exclamation points on opposite corners of the border]
  • Crying eyes
  • ?? [Can’t tell if this is dove or flame, but I’m pretty sure it is the Holy Spirit either way]
  • “And those he predestined he also justified and those who he called he also justified and those whom he justified he also glorified [Romans 8:30]
  • “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two”
  • Clock pointing to 3:00
  • A cross and I think it says, “Here!!” across it.
  • Arrows all pointing to the middle of the image
  • A heart that says, “Give,” in the middle
  • ??satisfied by the call of others less wild.” [I think I found this reference. It’s from a song called “Wedding Dress” by Derek Webb. The phrase from the song is, “I am so easily satisfied by the call of lovers less wild.” The chorus says, “I’m a prodigal with no way home…” so I’m pretty sure this is the artist’s reference.”] [a second note is that this part about being satisfied is across the image from the part about being “satisfied” on the other side of the border.]
  • “Son you are always with me and all that is mine is yours.”
  • A flower
  • A cross in the middle of something I can quite make out
  • An image of crying eyes that says, “Tears stream down your face,” with an arrow at the bottom of the image pointing upwards and the word, “UP!”

So that takes care of the border. Now what did this artist decide to show me in the image itself?

  • A lot of triangles over the house [I wish I knew if there is a significance to the triangles over the house. A bunch of representations of the Trinity?]
  • The father’s house [It’s a fairly modern representation of a house. I’m surprised it doesn’t have a more prominent front porch.]
  • There are several people cheering
  • The father seems to be represented in motion with arms outspread and then arms around the boy
  • It almost looks like there are angel wings as part of the father’s arms.
  • The boys hair melds into the father’s beard
  • The boy is in modern clothes
  • The boy’s jeans are dirty and the bottoms are frayed.
  • I think the boy is barefoot.
  • The boy’s head is buried in the father’s chest.

What the artist has done to communicate so much through not only the main image, but also through the border is great.

It was about 17 years ago that I sat down and tried to find a father/husband in the Bible who was worth emulating. After looking at all of the men I could find, I ultimately landed on Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, and the father in this story. Since this is a parable in which the father represents you, I just focused on Joseph. But maybe I should focus on this father since it gives me an insight into you and your nature.

As I look at this story, I notice the part where Jesus says, “Not many days later.” I know this isn’t a real story–it’s a parable–but I wonder what those days between the bequeathing and the leaving would have been like. Was the money not enough for the boy? Did it not bring him the happiness he thought it would.

Ultimately, the story is about the father letting the boy go. That is one of the hardest things to do as a parent. Let them go and then wait. And sometimes we have to wait a long time.

There is a DC Talk song called “The Hard Way” that’s chorus says it all: “Some people gotta learn the hard way. I guess I’m the kind of guy that trying to find out for myself. I had to learn the hard way, Father. I’m on my knees and I’m crying for help.”

Father, for the prodigals out there, make their paths to you as straight as possible. And for the fathers (and mothers), help them to believe.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 20, 2019 in Luke, Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups

 

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Luke 10:25-37 – The Good Samaritan’s Perspective

19 Jan

Luke 10:25-37
25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”[c]
28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant[d] walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,[e] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Dear God, I’m not sure if many people have ever told this story from the Samaritan’s perspective.

—

Once upon a time a Samaritan was walking down a mountain road from Jericho to Jerusalem. He was traveling home to his family in Sychar. Since most of the people on this road were Jewish, if they knew he was a Samaritan they would instantly disdain him, perhaps even calling out insults to him. The best way to survive on this road was to walk with confidence, keep to himself, and even try to come across as a little angry or intimidating.

As he walked, he overheard two men talking. He couldn’t make it all out, but he heard something about a man up the road and they were saying there was nothing they could do. Intrigued, he continued his journey, kind of keeping an eye out for what the two men had seen.

Then he saw the victim. He assumed he was a victim of a crime because he was lying between two boulders with no clothes on. He was bloody and severely injured, but the Samaritan knew someone must have done this to him because of the missing clothes. Surely, no one would have stolen the clothes after this had happened because they would have been too bloody to be desirable.

The Samaritan looked to see if there was anyone else nearby who might help the man, or at least help him help the man. But no one was there. His first thought was to pray. “Father, I don’t know if this man even has a chance of living. Please help him and show me what to do.”

He approached the man and, though he was bloody and beaten, his breathing was strong. It looked like all of his injuries were on the outside. He tried to figure out a way to help the man without touching him because touching him would mean getting bloody and being unclean for days. That would impact how he celebrated the Sabbath. Maybe he could just give the man some clothes and water and let him get himself to Jerusalem. No, the man to too beaten for that. The Sun was too hot and he wouldn’t be able to recover enough on his own. He needed help.

It was only then, as he started to bandage and clothe the man in clothes from the Samaritan’s pack and prepare him to be put up on his donkey that it occurred to him that this man was Jewish. Would he be angry that a Samaritan Was helping him? Would he come to and be angry? Maybe he should clothe him, make him easier for someone else to stop and help, and then move on.

No, this man needed help. The Samaritan put the man on his donkey just as two other travelers walked by. He shook his head as the travelers never made eye contact and obviously went out of their way to ignore him. Then they started to Jerusalem. Luckily for the Samaritan, that was his destination, and, at this point, it was closer than Jericho.

When he got to Jerusalem, he went to three inns before he finally found someone who was willing to deal with both a Samaritan and a man who was nearly dead. They checked into the room and the Samaritan placed the injured man in the bed. He took off the bandages he had placed on the victim out on the road and redressed his wounds. By now, the man was coming around and talking a little, though he was very confused. The Samaritan told him to just rest. Don’t try to talk. Just rest.

They spent the night together, with the Samaritan making a makeshift mattress on the floor while the victim was in the bed. The next morning, the Samaritan had to strike a deal with the innkeeper, who himself seemed to be a good man. “Please care for this man until he is well enough to go out on his own,” he pleaded with the innkeeper. “Here is enough money to cover what it should cost, but I come through Jerusalem often so if it ends up being more, I’ll come back by and settle up with you then.”

The innkeeper agreed and took charge of the victim. With that, the Samaritan packed his things and continued his journey back home to Sychar. As he made his way through the city, he prayed, “Father, please take care of that man. Thank you for keeping him alive and for the provision of an innkeeper who would continue his care. I’m sorry for judging him and so many others like him. I’m sorry for being afraid of him and of you. Thank you for changing my heart through this experience. May my life be a prayer to you. Amen.”

—

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 19, 2019 in Luke

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 4:12-19

18 Jan

1 Peter 4:12-19 NIV
[12] Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. [15] If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. [16] However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. [17] For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? [18] And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” [19] So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Dear God, when I read this passage I have two thoughts:

1. I have no idea what this type of persecution is like.
2. There are plenty of people in the world who do and I need to pray for them.

When I hear people wonder why there is suffering in the world, I can explain most of it, but there is some evil I cannot explain. One of the biggest is human sex trafficking—especially sex trafficking. I think about the young victims and how helpless they are. Of course, even that evil would happen if there wasn’t a long list of people waiting to exploit them. From watching porn to actually purchasing their services, it’s a horrific situation. I saw “The Mule” with Clint Eastwood recently, and it’s the same kind of thing where, once you’re in, you are trapped and you’re not getting out without outside intervention.

But I digress. There are literally Christians around the world being tortured and killed because of their faith. Father, please see them, support them, alleviate their suffering, and don’t let it go to waste. If it must happen at the hands of evil people, please at least make it count. Make it count. I don’t know how to help them. I don’t know if sending money to someone would help. I don’t know if writing my Congressman or President would help. I don’t perceive that it would. I just want you to please, please help these people.

As far as thinking about this passage from Peter’s perspective, he knows about this suffering first hand, and he knows the pain of it and the power of it to witness to others.

Father, help me to live a life that is a prayer to you. Help me to represent you in all ways. And please help these Christians around the world and touch their persecutors so that they might see your glory, repent, and turn to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 18, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Enoch Walked with God — Genesis 5:1-8, 21-29

17 Jan

Genesis 5:1-8,21-29 NIV
[1] This is the written account of Adam’s family line. When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. [2] He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” when they were created. [3] When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. [4] After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. [5] Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died. [6] When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. [7] After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. [8] Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died. [21] When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. [22] After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. [23] Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. [24] Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. [25] When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. [26] After he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. [27] Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died. [28] When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. [29] He named him Noah and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed. ”

Dear God, My thoughts on this story really just flow around the lives we live. We are here, we are a small part of the world, and then we die, leaving behind the little ways in which our lives caused ripples in the pool. A little George Bailey-esque, if you will. Enoch’s tale is unique because he wasn’t that old when compared with his contemporaries describe in these verses, but he was apparently taken up whole to be with you. I wish I knew more details about this story. It’s all pretty vague.

Bot the fun part of going through Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-ups is getting to look at the art as well. What do I see in this piece that the artist might want to tell me?

  • The first thing I notice is the size difference. God is too big for the frame and cannot be fully seen.
  • The road that Enoch is walking is not smooth, but apparently paved with stones, over which Enoch might stumble.
  • God is carrying a shepherd’s crook, but dressed in modern clothes. I don’t know that this image was specifically drawn for the Enoch story or if it just fit with the Enoch story, but the image is obviously for me as well. The picture’s title is “Walking with God” by Rick Beerhorst. Going back to the shepherd’s crook, I think the artist is intimating that you are ready to catch us at any time. And you are also ready to nudge us along the right path.
  • I suppose those are fields next to the path, but it could conceivably be a river as well. Either way, there is something to the left that the man can see, but is not interacting with.
  • I guess the last thing I noticed is that the mountains are in the distance, so this picture is taken of the man while he is in the valley, where most of life is lived. Mr. Beerhorst could have placed the man anywhere and given the picture any background, but he chose to show us “Walking with God” in the valley.

I heard a speaker one time try to make the point that all of our lives are smaller than we think they are by asking us a series of questions.

  • How many of you know what your father did/does for a living?
  • How many of you know what your grandfather did/does for a living?
  • How many of you know what your great grandfather did for a living?
  • Great-great grandfather?

He then went on to indicated that, for our great-great grandfather, his life was complicated and could be overwhelming. His problems seemed so big to him, but now with the passage of time his work is largely forgotten. What remains of our great-great grandfather’s legacy are the relationships he affected while he was living and how his touch on them ripples through to time to our lives. It was a great reminder then, and seeing the legacy and lineage around Enoch is also a good reminder that, at the end of the day, Enoch’s biggest contribution to history was to be part of Noah’s family tree and then getting out of the way.

Father, help my life to ripple through time for your glory. I don’t know what will be left of my physical work when this world is all said and done, but I hope that, even after people have forgotten my name, that the love that I showed someone today will be there for someone else through someone else tomorrow.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 17, 2019 in Genesis, Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 4:7-11

16 Jan

1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV
[7] The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. [8] Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [9] Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Dear God, it’s interesting that Peter and Paul were under the impression that you would be returning at any minute. I suppose that created quite a sense of urgency for them.

I wonder how my life would change if I felt that same sense of urgency. What would it look like if I were able to make some of my decisions as if I’m in this earthly life for the long hall and but still had this overriding drive telling me you could be returning at any moment? Would my job be the same, but interactions with others be different? Would I actually make a lot of mistakes because I would lose my patience with how slowly your plan can unfold sometimes? As I think about it, one of the things you’ve really taught me over the last few years is to wait on you. I can see where the overriding thought that you could return at any moment would actually nudge me into doing some damage.

Father, as always, help me to hear your voice and follow your leading at any given time. Love through me. Encourage and inspire through me. And also encourage me along the way, although it feels silly to ask you that last one because you’ve encouraged me several times over the last year (and always). So thank you for that too. I really am grateful and try not to take you for granted.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 16, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 4:1-6

15 Jan

1 Peter 4:1-6 NIV
[1] Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. [2] As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. [3] For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. [4] They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. [5] But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. [6] For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Dear God, I had a great compliment the other day. A young coworker told me that my wife and I are “goals.”

“What does ‘goals’ mean?” I replied.

She said, “You’re the kind of people we want to be like.”

I have to confess, I never imagined anyone would see us that way. Now, in her case, I think she sees a financially middle class life that she would love to have, but I also think she sees stability and peace. And while I don’t go around beating people over the head with the Bible, I do think that everyone knows how important following you is to me. I hope that at some point she will connect the dots of the parts of my life that she appreciates to the idea of submitting myself to you.

Lest I get too haughty, there are still plenty of areas where you are still refining my heart. I get that. So please help me to be aware of those areas of my life that still grieve you and help me to willingly purge them. Help me to make it clear to those around me that the decision to follow you is the core of who I am and that your grace and love can set them free.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 15, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 3:8-22

14 Jan

1 Peter 3:8-22 NIV
[8] Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. [9] Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. [10] For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. [11] They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. [12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” [13] Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? [14] But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats ; do not be frightened.” [15] But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. [17] For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. [18] For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. [19] After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— [20] to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, [21] and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [22] who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Dear God, there’s a lot here, and maybe I should have broken it into a couple of pieces, but I couldn’t find a good separation point. It all flowed together pretty well.

I guess what struck me about Peter as I read all of this is that Jesus was his personal, real life example. Jesus taught him personally to love Gentiles. Jesus taught him to do good in the face of evil. And Jesus taught him all of the things he asks us to do here.

So now, Peter is teaching us, but it’s important for us to teach others. We become the part of the fire that is asked to pass on the spark to another: “[15b] Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Father, I told my wife yesterday that I am feeling convicted that I let too many of these opportunities pass me by. Whether it’s with friends, family, coworkers, clients, or a stranger whom I can tell is in pain, I am often too timid to teach. So help me to remember to do this when you present me the opportunity and help me to do it with gentleness and respect. I don’t want to push anyone away from you because I am an arrogant fool. I just want to offer them a peace that they won’t understand until they have embraced your mercy and forgiveness.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 14, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 3:1-7

13 Jan

1 Peter 3:1-7 NIV
[1] Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, [2] when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. [3] Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. [4] Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. [5] For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, [6] like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. [7] Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Dear God, oh boy! Now we get to deal with Peter the misogynist. I’m being sarcastic, but that is the first thing some people will see when they read these passages. It’s hard to remember context when you read stuff that was written 2,000 years ago. Heck, it’s hard to remember context for things written five years ago. A lot changes over time, and a lot has changed over the last few years.

I was watching some old Saturday Night Live sketches a few months ago, and when I say old I mean that they were from about eight years ago. The jokes they were making about men and women, sexual harassment, etc. would not be aired today—not even by SNL (South Park, maybe). They would be deemed inappropriate.

Then you go back 40 years. I’ll watch movies like “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Convoy” and consider how they treat law enforcement with such irreverence. I wonder if those movies, especially “Smokey and the Bandit” would be made in the same way today. How much of the script would be changed?

Of course, you can go back 150 years to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and consider the language Mark Twain used to refer to black people. Of course, his publisher would never allow that now. Published for the first time in 2019, the book would have to be severely edited.

On the one hand, it is good that all of these things have morphed over time. We are growing as a society and as humans. We are recognizing the prejudices that have been baked into us as we grew. On the other hand, I think all of these pieces of art and recordings of our history help us to see where we used to be and how far we have come. One of the things I love about the #metoo movement is that Hollywood has taken its eyes off of judging a lot of society for things of which it disapproves and they have turned it back on themselves. We are all growing.

So I say all of that, probably unnecessarily, to point out that this is Peter (and Paul did it too) moving the ball forward. This is Peter telling women that they have power and influence that is beyond their sexuality. He might not have totally gotten it and been “lit” on this issue, but he was certainly pushing the boundaries of a cultural norm of the time. And then he turned it on the husbands. He tells them that their treatment of their wife will impact their relationship with you (“…so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”). No, Peter is not “lit,” but anyone judging him for that probably doesn’t realize how “unlit” they themselves are.

Father, give me a mind that is open enough for the Holy Spirit to give me your thoughts. Be glorified in my words and my actions. Help me to see your truth beyond the millennia of lies that have been baked into my training. And help me to be the man my wife needs me to be. No, better said, help me to be the man that you need me to be for my wife. And help her to be what you need for me. Teach me through her and teach her through me. Do this all so that you might use us in your world for your maximum glory and the benefit of others.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 13, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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