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Ephesians 5:1-14

07 Jan

5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper,
    rise up from the dead,
    and Christ will give you light.”

Dear God, I was reading an editorial yesterday a friend sent me about Jimmy Carter. It is from Good Faith Media and is called “Good Christians Make Bad Politicians: The Legacy Of Jimmy Carter” by Josh Carney. It’s what I thought of this morning when I read these words from Paul. There was one line in the piece that stands out to me: “While Jesus is an admirable sage that we love to quote as an antidote for our personal problems, his politics are too impractical for real American problems. It might be impossible for an American president to enact the politics of Jesus. The very idea of the nation-state carries implications that are at odds with the kingdom of God.” It’s sad but true.

I think a comparison would be the difference between me being a civilian and being in the army. As a member of society, I am willing (or I should be willing) to sacrifice myself for others. As a member of the army, I would be willing (or I should be willing) to take another person’s life for the sake of my country. Just that last sentence that I bolded about the idea of a nation-state being at odds with your kingdom. It reminds me of what someone said about your actions in the Old Testament. None of it was how you designed it, but you are just constantly triaging the situation and working with what you have with the Israelites. Are we any different.

But I’m not in the army. I’m not a politician. I’m just one of however many billions of people are on this earth. I’m just one of however many hundreds of millions of people who live in this country. I’m just a husband, father, son, brother, boss, employee, community member, and friend who has work to do today. How will I choose to do it? Will I seek myself and my own gratification, or will I work to help and love others? Will I be what Paul calls people to be in verses 1 and 2 of Ephesians 5, or will be be what Paul describes in verses 3-5?

Father, to quote the end of the Nicene Creed, I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Until then, I pledge myself to you as best I can.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 7, 2025 in Ephesians

 

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1 Peter 1:10-12

06 Jan

10 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.

12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

1 Peter 1:10-12

Dear God, if I’ve ever noticed these verses before I do not remember them. They are totally new to me now, but I love them. I love Peter’s description of the Old Testament Prophets’ confusion and lack of knowledge over the very prophecies Jesus was giving them. How or why would this Christ suffer? That didn’t make sense to them.

Then to say that they were told that the prophecies weren’t for them for for us. For me. What an interesting thing for them to experience. What a disappointing thing for them. What a sad thing for them.

When I sat down here this morning, I was really feeling sorry for myself. In fact, I sat down and tried to think of a passage that would make me feel better, but nothing came to mind. So I went to my standard way of doing by going to Bible Gateway and looking to see their verse of the day. Interestingly, the verse was verse 13, the one right after these three verses. But it starts with the word “so,” and whenever I see that I always go back to look for the context of the “so.” So, I looked back and the preceding verses, and I found this wonderful encouragement through the ignorance and lack of participation in the good things of your plan by the very prophets who were so close to you they spoke your words to the people. Isaiah. Jeremiah. Micah. I could list them all. My point is, although they were prophets, they were not given full understanding. And many of them suffered for your message. So who am I to think I deserve any better.

Father, thank you for these prophets of old. I know they are enjoying their eternity with you right now. I know they love and worship you in this moment. And they are in the midst of your complete joy. I too will one day experience your joy in the afterlife. But in this moment, there are so many things for which I can be and should be grateful. You have given me so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you for answering my heartfelt prayers yesterday. I have more prayers to offer you. You know what they are. I pray them in the silence of my heart right now. I give it all to you.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 6, 2025 in 1 Peter

 

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Micah 6:6-8

04 Jan

6 What can we bring to the Lord?
    Should we bring him burnt offerings?
Should we bow before God Most High
    with offerings of yearling calves?
7 Should we offer him thousands of rams
    and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
    to pay for our sins?

8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
    and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
    and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:6-8

Dear God, I was talking with a pastor friend the other day about theology and how errant mine (and everyone’s) probably is. I mean, really, how can we know you? How can we think we can begin to understand you and what makes you tick? How to ensure we have your favor? It’s ridiculous. So while I have my thoughts about you, I tend to hold them loosely with the understanding that I can’t begin to understand how little I understand you. As far as I am concerned, you are un-understandable.

So why do I walk in faith. Because I am a believer in the two great commandments: Love you with everything I have and love my neighbor as myself. I told my pastor friend that when I am on the other side of life and you are considering whether or not my soul is worthy of eternity in your presence, I envision you patting me on the head and saying, “You know what? You had a lot wrong about your so-called “theology,” but you loved me and you loved others. That’s what I needed you to do.”

That’s kind of what Micah is saying here. Do what is right. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God. I can contrive all of these things I should do and sacrifice to be with you, but in the end it’s about simply doing these things.

Father, help me to do that today. Help me to do what is right. I mean, really right. Help me to show incredible mercy because you have show me incredible mercy. And help me to simply walk humbly in your presence. Holy Spirit, walk with me and speak to me. Jesus, advocate for me to the Father and teach me. And Father, well, all I want is your love. Thank you for giving it to me so freely.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 4, 2025 in Micah

 

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Titus 2:11-14

03 Jan

11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Titus 2:11-14

Dear God, I do still sin. I’m sorry for that. I’m still selfish. I’m still gluttonous. I’m still hateful. I’m all of it. And I am sorry. I’m sorry that there is that one part of my heart that I still hold back for me. I know it has to frustrate you as you try to love me. Holy Spirit, I know you must just shake your head when you see me hold onto that little part of myself and covet it. “My precious.”

Jesus, thank yo for giving your life to free me from this sin. To cleanse me. To make me your own. Father, thank you for sending that part of yourself down to this earth. Holy Spirit, thank you for being with me, even now, in my brokenness. Walk with me today as I do my best to turn loose of the things to which I hold so dear. Guide me as I interact with others. Guide me as I love you and love my wife. Guide me as I do my work.

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

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 3, 2025 in Titus

 

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Psalm 90

02 Jan

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses, the man of God.

1 Lord, through all the generations
    you have been our home!
2 Before the mountains were born,
    before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
    from beginning to end, you are God.

3 You turn people back to dust, saying,
    “Return to dust, you mortals!”
4 For you, a thousand years are as a passing day,
    as brief as a few night hours.
5 You sweep people away like dreams that disappear.
    They are like grass that springs up in the morning.
6 In the morning it blooms and flourishes,
    but by evening it is dry and withered.
7 We wither beneath your anger;
    we are overwhelmed by your fury.
8 You spread out our sins before you—
    our secret sins—and you see them all.
9 We live our lives beneath your wrath,
    ending our years with a groan.

10 Seventy years are given to us!
    Some even live to eighty.
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble;
    soon they disappear, and we fly away.
11 Who can comprehend the power of your anger?
    Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve.
12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
    so that we may grow in wisdom.

13 O Lord, come back to us!
    How long will you delay?
    Take pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
    so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
15 Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!
    Replace the evil years with good.
16 Let us, your servants, see you work again;
    let our children see your glory.
17 And may the Lord our God show us his approval
    and make our efforts successful.
    Yes, make our efforts successful!

Dear God, I thought about stopping reading just after verse 1. “Lord, through all the generations you have been our home.” Considering this was prayed by a man who led the Israelites after over 400 years of slavery–many, many generations of slaves–I think this is remarkable. For him to say that, even for those enslaved generations, you have been their home is powerful.

I was watching something this morning that made me cry. It is related to something that is my life’s great sorrow. An area in which I failed greatly. I’m still not sure exactly what I did to fail, but the evidence is that I failed spectacularly. I only pray that, like you used the hundreds of years of slavery to build up the children of Jacob into a nation, you will use my failings for your glory.

So let me paraphrase Moses’s closing with my own. Let me see what you are doing and how you are working. Help me to see your glory. And may my labor be pleasing to you. May it accomplish what you need it to accomplish. May it achieve what you need it to achieve. And I’ll just add, please heal my sorrowful situation.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 2, 2025 in Psalms

 

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John 1:1-18

31 Dec

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.

6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”

16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

John 1:1-18

Dear God, having spent so much time at different times in my life with specific passages like this one can make it difficult to see it with fresh eyes. But my wife asked me a question a couple of days ago that I think fits with what John is saying here. She, who is Catholic, asked why I thought Peter got the nod from the Catholic church over John for first Pope. I thought the answer was pretty easy in that Jesus called Peter the rock upon which the Church would be built. She countered that John seemed so much more responsible and mature than Peter. Less impetuous. More thoughtful. She would have thought it would be John

I countered that she is thinking of the John she knows from the end of his life. Writing this Gospel. Writing the three letters. Revelation. But when I think back on the John that is represented in the Gospels, he seems less mature and put together than Peter. For example, he and his brother James asked for places of honor in the kingdom to come. When the Samaritans denied Jesus passage through their are on their way to Jerusalem, it was John and James who asked Jesus if he wanted them to call down fire on them and burn them up. Later, in Acts, as Peter and John are walking to the Temple and a man is crying out to be healed, it is Peter who stops and talks to him, not John. She countered that it was John who followed Jesus to the cross. That’s true. John did love you, but I just don’t think he was a leader. I mentioned to her that it was Peter who you used to break the Gentile barrier between Cornelius and the other apostles in Jerusalem. I also questioned why John was never martyred. Could it be because he never quite pushed the envelope far enough to push the anti-Christians he encountered past the tipping point?

I think, for John, he had a long time to really sift through everything he had experienced and was then able to start making some sense of it and write it down. He shared his version of Jesus’s life. He wrote letters of love and encouragement. She shared the Revelation you gave him. And for me, it all starts with this passage. The first time I read John’s Gospel all of the way through I realized that throughout much of it, Jesus sounds like a lunatic. It was C.S. Lewis who said you need to accept Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. There is not a fourth option. For me, these first 18 verses are the core of what the rest of the book is built on. If you believe Jesus is the Word and was God, the the rest of the book makes perfect sense. If you don’t believe those first 18 verses, then you just as well stop reading because the rest of it won’t make any sense. John just didn’t leave any middle ground for Jesus to hide in. He was God so John represents him as God.

I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that John began his book with poetry. My wife is a poet, and she has taught me to appreciate the choice of words and how important they are. I am sure this gets lost with translation. I wish I were fluent in Greek and could read this as John originally wrote it. There’s probably even more here than a lot of us know.

Father, I like John because I see a lot of myself in him. Faithful, but cautious. I am the kind who would run to the tomb, but then wait a beat and examine everything before I went in. I’m not Peter. I don’t just get out of the boat and walk to you on the water. I don’t see the man begging to be healed and stop to heal him. I don’t proclaim you are the Messiah when no one else is quite ready to say it out loud. But I do love you. And I know you love me. Help me to love you better. Help me to live in that love. Help me to worship you well.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 31, 2024 in John

 

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John 14:1-3

29 Dec

14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

John 14:1-3

It’s important to remember the context for these verses. Why were their hearts troubled (verse 1)? Because he had just finished telling them at the end of chapter 13 that he was about to die for them. This was at the Last Supper. This was a time of complete confusion for the disciples. And I doubt these verses cleared anything up. In fact, I know they didn’t because they are followed by Thomas telling him he doesn’t know what Jesus is talking about.

So with that context set, how about the times when I get confused and overwhelmed? When I get scared of things going on in the world? When I get scared of things going on in the personal lives of people I know? I’m supposed to trust in you, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

So what does that look like? To trust in you? There are some days I know the answer to that question better than I do others. In my better times, I remember that we are not destined for this world. This world is only temporary, but you have gone to prepare a place for us. It’s a weird world with a lot of pain. I do sometimes wonder why you bothered to create it in the first place. What is the role this planet plays in your overall plan and existence? But even that thought reminds me of how small I am. How small all of our lives are.

Father, I guess I am simply left with the knowledge that you love me and you love the people I love. You also love the people I don’t love. You see the pain behind what people do. Behind their actions. You see the mental illness and trauma. And all of this is bigger than I can understand. Like Thomas, I am confused, but the confusion is okay because you are not confused. As I heard someone say one time, you don’t chew your nails. You aren’t nervous. You grieve with us. You get angry with us. But you also love us and celebrate with us. I hope my life can bring a smile to your face. Not because of what I do, but simply because I earnestly love you and any good actions I take come out of that love.

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

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 29, 2024 in John

 

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Matthew 11:20-24

28 Dec

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God. 21 “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. 22 I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.

23 “And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. 24 I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”

Matthew 11:20-24

Dear God, this kind of brings me back to my thought several months ago about what it would be like to live in an area that was currently hostile towards you and Christianity. Right now, I live in an area where it is culturally preferred that I acknowledge faith in you. In fact, an open acknowledgment of lack of faith in you is scorned in my area of the world. But what if I were to move to an area like Portland, which I have heard described by some who have lived many places as the most liberal, Godless city in the United States? What would it do for my my relationship with you if I were in an environment where my faith was challenged more? What would it do for them if I was your light in their darkness?

There is something about self-righteousness that puts up a barrier between you and me that is seemingly more dangerous than if I were in full rebellion against you. At least in rebellion, I am able to see how I contrast with you and make a decision to embrace you instead of me. But in self-righteousness, I am setting myself up to be like you but, subtly, without a need for you.

This might seem like a different topic, but it’s kind of related. I heard someone describe a recent New York Times editorial by David French in which he talked about how dangerous it is for Christians to decide they have to be the ones in charge because they are the ones who are “right.” The problem becomes when those same Christians start to use the world’s methods to get their power. They start to manipulate. They start to compromise morality. They start to grasp for the power instead of simply waking up and grasping for you.

Father, it feels like this is what Jesus was condemning, and it is something that I want to be vigilant about in my own heart. I want to be repentant. I want to be holy. I want to love you well. I want to love others well. Help me to do that, Father. Help me to be wholly yours in every moment.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 28, 2024 in Matthew

 

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Psalm 103

27 Dec

Psalm 103

A psalm of David.

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
    and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

6 The Lord gives righteousness
    and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

7 He revealed his character to Moses
    and his deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
    slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
    nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
    he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
    is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
    as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
    tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
    he remembers we are only dust.
15 Our days on earth are like grass;
    like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16 The wind blows, and we are gone—
    as though we had never been here.
17 But the love of the Lord remains forever
    with those who fear him.
His salvation extends to the children’s children
18     of those who are faithful to his covenant,
    of those who obey his commandments!

19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne;
    from there he rules over everything.

20 Praise the Lord, you angels,
    you mighty ones who carry out his plans,
    listening for each of his commands.
21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels
    who serve him and do his will!
22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created,
    everything in all his kingdom.

Let all that I am praise the Lord.

Dear God, sometimes it’s nice to just stop and worship. I feel like for the last five weeks I’ve been trying to think deep Advent thoughts as I moved through the season and tried to uncover you. But in a moment like this, it’s kind of nice to read a “psalm of orientation” out loud and just worship you. To be reminded how good you are by David from thousands of years ago. You are the same God to me that you were to him. The only difference is that I now have Jesus. Oh, how David would love to have known Jesus. To learn from Jesus. To repent to Jesus. To worship Jesus. He would have found that you are even better than he knew when he wrote this psalm.

So, here I am to worship you this morning and remember all of the good things about you. You are gracious. You are slow to anger. You are good to all who love you and call on you. You are better to me than I deserve. You are love. You are amazing, God.

Father, help me to turn loose of all of my idols today. All of the little things I hold on to that I think will bring me security and certainty. Help me to go to work this morning and work as unto you. Help me to love my wife well. Help me to love my friends well. Lord, I give you my heart. I offer it to you. Take it and use it and my life however you will for your kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 27, 2024 in Psalms

 

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Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-60

26 Dec

8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. 9 But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. 10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

Acts 6:8-10

54 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 56 And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Acts 7:54-60

Dear God, I want to look at the men from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia this morning. They are basically the ones who started this event. I wonder what was in their hearts while they challenged Stephen. Were they proud? Were they angry? Were they afraid they were wrong and overcompensating? And how much am I like these men? My temptation is to put myself in the Stephen role and people with whom I disagree in the role of these men, but something tells me that if I do that then I am being even more like these men than I already am.

I was telling some family last night that my need to be “right” decreases every year. I have friends who don’t believe. I have family who are hostile towards you. I used to see it as my job to be the one smart enough to convince them. Now, as I go through life, I find that what you really need me to do is love them and then be available to speak truth to them in the opportune moments. But I don’t have to be right. They don’t have to be wrong. And if I am wrong about something…”If.” As if I’m not already wrong about a lot of things. When I am wrong about something, give me ears to hear and eyes to see.

Father, as I go out into the world today, let me be a vessel that carries you with me. As a pastor friend of mine would put it, spill out of my bucket and over into the lives of those I touch. Bring your kingdom and your will being done into this world through me and anyone else you choose. And I pray for friends and family a lot, but I seem to forget the angel component, and I believe the angels are here. I don’t know their roles. I don’t know how much my prayers impact their activities or the power they have, but I pray for the angels that touch my life and the lives of those I love. And I pray that my own heart will not be hardened but open to the truth you have for me.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 26, 2024 in Acts

 

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