Category Archives: Daily Devotion

Seeing from a Higher Rock

Eastertide

April 16, 2023

Scripture Reading: John 20:19-31

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. –John 20:24-31

We live in a world of distrust. Most of us can identify with Thomas in this regard. One of my relatives advises anyone who listens never to believe anything they see on social media. I certainly consider the source and otherwise try to find a more reliable source to verify what I read. With Rome ruling the world and the religious leaders of the day being more concerned about their power than God’s, would you not be a little skeptical? Do we not face the same challenges today?

In times like these you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He’s the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! *

Prayer: Lord, lead us to the Rock that is higher than I so we may see your truth.  Amen.

First verse and chorus of In Times Like These by Ruth Caye Jones, see at https://www.songlyrics.com/george-beverly-shea/in-times-like-these-lyrics/

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Seeking God’s Righteousness

Eastertide

April 15, 2023

Scripture Reading: John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’ –John 20:10-23

If someone has wronged me, as a Christ-follower, I have a responsibility to forgive the action and to deal with the residual feelings and attitudes that I must clear from my own slate, so I not only forgive but let it go. I also fully grasp that Jesus charged us to continue his work in developing the Kingdom of God on this earth with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. A large part of Jesus’s work was forgiving others. John 9:39: Jesus said, ‘I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.’

The above scripture, however, makes me uncomfortable. Somewhere along the way, I learned that only God could ultimately forgive sin. I think that stems from my understanding that God assigned Jesus Christ the role of judge. Forgiveness is the follow-up to judgment, and I do not feel qualified to judge anyone or, as the scriptures describe it, to know the heart of another. It also makes me uncomfortable because I see many people, leaders even, judging other people’s lives and creating laws to control their lives to meet their interpretation of what is right and what is just. Often such judgments seem to be drawn from cultural norms rather than the commandment of God to love one another and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Reading the scripture more intensely, we are not necessarily called to judge others; we are to open our own and others’ eyes so that all can see their shortcomings and self-correct, receiving forgiveness from the Holy Spirit. Walking the second mile* with others is a greater challenge than creating our own system of justice, which we can apply and rather self-righteously check off as one more task to raise our brownie points with God.  I do not think that is what God is calling us to do.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we develop our own definitions of what is right and just. Give us the courage to open our own eyes to your righteousness and work together to build a better world ruled by love.  Amen.

*See Matthew 5:41

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Dealing with Distractions

Eastertide

April 14, 2023

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

For some reason recently, I have sensed that my soul is being attacked by all the negativity and divisiveness that exists in our country today. While aging brings its physical challenges, I pray more often for God to heal my soul.  We must grow in resilience while we are called by Christ to face the world with love.

I watched the Thunder basketball game last night, (they won!) A player on the opposing team hit one of the Thunder players in a very sensitive place knocking the player to the ground. His immediate response was to jump up and charge toward the culprit. One of the player’s teammates walked up to the injured player and wrapped his arms around him hugging him and stopping him from making matters work for himself. The injured player calmed down immediately, and the culprit was charged with a technical file.

We have a lot of people, leaders particularly, hitting people where it hurts: making parents think the public schools are their enemy while not providing the funding required to offer quality public education, interfering with personal medical decisions without regard to various complications, deciding what books people can or cannot read, and the right for everyone to own a gun making that ownership more important than life itself.  Our challenge is to redirect to the real problems of poverty, earning a living wage, the need for health and mental health care, and providing restorative justice while living our love as Jesus Christ modeled for us.

The best response to distraction is investing time in redirecting our energies to the real issues that must be addressed.

Prayer: Lord, heal our souls so we can be the love needed to heal our world. Help us find our place in that process. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

New Birth into a Living Hope

Eastertide

April 13, 2023

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

A new birth into a living hope sounds good. It is ours for the taking. So why do we not take it? Why am I waking up each morning to learn where the most recent mass shooting occurred and how many were killed or injured? Why are 14.46% of Oklahoma people living in poverty, the fourth highest rate for a state in the USA?  Why is Oklahoma ranked among the states with the highest rates of incarceration? Why are we focusing on limiting the rights of individuals in what medicine they can take or even what books they can read rather than feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, welcoming strangers, and restoring those wasting away in prison? The truth is that if we address with all our hearts and souls the issues Jesus commanded, these other issues with melt away.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for looking for answers to problems in our society in all the wrong places. Instill in us the courage to grasp and live into your way of being ruled by love. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Eastertide

April 12, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 16
Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
   I have no good apart from you.’

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
   in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
   their drink-offerings of blood I will not pour out
   or take their names upon my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
   you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
   I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
   in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
   because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
   my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
   or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.
   In your presence there is fullness of joy;
   in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

My study bible opens this Psalm describing it as a Miktam of David. Having never heard of that word, I looked it up and learned essentially that no one knows what it means. Strongs Concordance describes it as a technical term.  It starts with a prayer, warns against idolatry, expresses appreciation for the Lord’s constancy, and celebrates the Lord’s presence which brings David joy. This seems to be an overheard prayer of David’s very personal communion with God, probably never meant for publication. I am glad it was captured for posterity, for it offers a wonderful example of an intimate relationship between an individual and God.

Prayer: Lord, this prayer is a welcomed respite from what is happening in our world today. I thank you for the opportunities I have had to rest and muse for a time with you and me as David did in this poem. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Conquer through Love

Eastertide

April 11, 2023

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-32

‘Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
“He was not abandoned to Hades,
   nor did his flesh experience corruption.”
This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. –Acts 2:29-32

We live in a scary world. When I wrote my book Houses Divided ten years ago, the divisiveness in our society was bad, and it has only worsened. While we almost worship our piety, we seem to have lost touch with our faith. King David died in 970 BCE, filled with the faith that his descendant, Messiah, would bring salvation to the world.  A thousand years later, David’s descendant, Jesus, came to dwell among us filled with wisdom and the favor of God (Luke 2:40). Jesus modeled and taught the way of being necessary to fulfill God’s vision for the world. It cost him his life. That, however, was not the end of the story. God resurrected Jesus Christ, Messiah, to fulfill his promise to David and to us today that faith and hope are fostered by love. There is no reason for division, violence, or bigotry when we all recognize that we are uniquely and cooperatively members of a beloved community fueled by love, freeing us from the evil that divides us.

Recently, there was a serious live shooter scare on the University of Oklahoma campus. Such actions have been multiplying, and the response by police and others was immediate and vast. I saw in the newspaper yesterday that the report of the shooter’s presence came from a phone number from a foreign country. Evil does not give up easily; we must not either. Fortified by God, we can withstand anything that works to divide and conquer as we strive to build that Beloved Community.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we allow evil to disrupt our faith. Protect us from being caught in the net of evil as we see evil’s presence seeking to destroy us. At times when we are tempted to fight evil with evil, guide us to rely on your love. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Moving Forward

Eastertide

April 10, 2023

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-32

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.

‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him,
“I saw the Lord always before me,
   for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
   moreover, my flesh will live in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
   or let your Holy One experience corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
   you will make me full of gladness with your presence.” –Acts 2:14a, 22-28

Peter quotes Psalms 16:8-11 to express David’s declaration about the constancy of the Lord’s presence with him always. The coming of Jesus Christ and his life, death, and resurrection testifies to the Lord’s presence with those seeking him from that time forward.

After weeks of mourning, on the traditional celebration of Pentecost, Jesus’s disciples realized the need to get their act together and follow Jesus’s commandment to Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:19-20)

I cannot imagine what the Disciples experienced on the day of Pentecost, but it got them out of their grief and into the work of God’s Kingdom. We have that same call today.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the strength and courage to build the beloved community you envisioned for us all. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Renewing Our Call

Easter

April 9, 2023

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:13-49

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. –Luke 24:13-35

And so it begins. The Resurrection initiated the next steps in developing the Kingdom of God on earth, building the Beloved Community. Are you ready? Let’s go.

Prayer: Lord, our world seems to be short on love and full of fear, violence, and greed. Make us whole, make us one, make us just. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Time for Reflection

Silent Saturday

April 8, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise again.” Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, “He has been raised from the dead”, and the last deception would be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone. –Matthew 27:57-66

A house divided cannot stand. (See Matthew 12:22-28) One leader, Joseph of Arimathea, sought to bury Jesus. In comparison, the chief priests wanted to stifle any further disruptions from this Jesus as he threatened their way of being. A chill ran down my back as I read this scripture. It brought to my mind the Tennessee Legislature expelling two of its members for protesting gun violence. Six people, seven really including the perpetrator, were killed at a Nashville school. The legislature is not willing to address the issue of gun control. Instead, they proposed requiring schools to lock their doors and hire more security staff. The shooter had a history of mental health issues. Still, she was able to purchase several guns legally. The shooter entered the school with an AR-15 military-style rifle, a 9 mm Kel-Tec SUB2000 pistol caliber carbine, and a 9 mm Smith and Wesson M&P Shield EZ 2.0 handgun, according to Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake. (CNN) Several more weapons were found in her home.

God sent Jesus to intercede among all peoples to restore righteousness and justice to a world that was losing or had lost its moral compass. That seems to be a recurring reality. Jesus came to model, champion, and advocate for the rule of love. He challenged each of his followers to carry forth that same mission.

In many church calendars, this day is described as Silent Saturday. The first day of grief for Christ’s followers and perhaps a period of relief for those that crucified Jesus.  Often the first stage of grief is shock. Silent Saturday is the day God gave Christ’s followers to stop for a while, recall their experiences with Jesus, and prepare for what comes next. The world is still with us, and we, too, in working to fulfill Christ’s mission, need to process our next steps in a world in desperate need of the Savior who has already arrived and dwells among us full of grace and truth. (John 1:17)

Prayer:Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope
And my will be lost in Thine*. Amen.

*The second verse of the hymn Draw Me Nearer, by Fanny Crosby. See at https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Draw_Me_Nearer_Crosby/

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Doing Our Part

Maundy Thursday

April 6, 2023

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 9:11-15
But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.

I just saw a news report focusing on the three policemen who were first on-site at the recent school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee. Three children and three adults were killed. These three policemen most likely saved many lives in that school, even as they had to kill the woman doing the shooting. In answer to a question, one of them said something to the effect that, as a policeman, he had to put his own life at risk and his family. The Book of Hebrews stresses that Christ gave his life for us and that the nature of that act calls us to further his work in building our world into the Kingdom of God, ruled by love.

I heard on the news this morning that school had been canceled today in one town in Oklahoma as authorities are investigating a shooting threat against the school. Copycat reactions to violence are becoming routine. Doing justice, protecting others, and developing a restorative justice system are each of our responsibilities. We cannot solve the whole problem as individuals and groups, but we can do something. We must find our niche and fulfill our calling.

Prayer: Lord, guide us to find what we can do toward creating the Beloved Community. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.