Tag Archives: Following Christ

Following Christ’s Game Plan

stay-the-courseLiving in the Spirit
September 19, 2016

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of King Zedekiah of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar. At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and the prophet Jeremiah was confined in the court of the guard that was in the palace of the king of Judah, where King Zedekiah of Judah had confined him. Zedekiah had said, ‘Why do you prophesy and say: Thus says the Lord: I am going to give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it; –Jeremiah 32:1-3a

Today’s scripture is a rather ominous reading in the face of people on all sides of the political system in the USA thinking catastrophe will result if one of the other sides win. Outside forces reigning terror on Jerusalem surely resulted in internal divisions. We, too, are under the influence of fear from outside forces, and not just external political foes. Our world is changing quicker than we can buy new cell phones. The world gets smaller and smaller as we know where every earthquake or bombing occurs.  What role does a follower of Christ have in such a time as this? Jeremiah knew if Judah continued its current course it would fall.

Jesus commanded us 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 28:18b-20)

I watched a football game yesterday where the offense of one team played in such a way that the defense of the other team lost track of the action opening gaps for running backs to shoot through and score. The defensive coach advised his players that even if staying in their position went against their best instincts, they should not follow the action; they needed to stay the course, play the planned scheme. They heard his advice, and they won.

If I may take the metaphor a bit further even if you are not into football, we must remember that Christ is our coach, and we need to follow his plan.

Prayer: Lord, grant us your peace to enable us to take in your ways and make them our ways no matter what. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

The Image of the Invisible God

Jesus image of invisible GodLiving in the Spirit
July 14, 2016

Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-28

 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. –Colossians 1:15-20

I heard an interview with Alton Sterling’s son, Cameron, this morning. Alton Sterling was the man killed by police recently in Louisiana. Cameron was talking about breaking down in tears while his mother was interviewed. He said that when he placed his arm around his mother to comfort her, he felt another’s arm on top of his. When he looked, he saw no one and realized that it was his father’s unseen arm. Knowing that his dad would be with him in spirit, if not physically, was an amazing revelation. His tears expressed gratitude for the love that surpasses physical life. This teenager expressed empathy for the children of the slain police in Dallas, and he begged that we all just try to get along. This young man knows the love of Christ, the image of the invisible God, Paul describes in our scripture today.

We need to invest some time and energy in reconnecting with this Christ. Spend some time with him on the mountain reacquainting ourselves with the beatitudes. (Matthew 5). Hear his call to discipleship again by the sea of Galilee. Renew our commitment to leave our comfort zones and work to make the whole world a comfort zone of love for all one neighbor at a time.

We need to learn for a teenager with a broken heart.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we get so caught up in the busyness of our lives that we forget who we serve and why we serve you. Renew our faith, O, Lord. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Playing without a Shoe

ShoelessAdvent
December 10, 2015

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Wouldn’t you just love to know the situation that resulted in the formation of these forever meaningful words scribed by Paul. Truth is this scripture has uniform application to all peoples of faith at all times. When we realize the first century time delay between letter receipt and a corresponding answer, the original issue may have been solved and others had taken its place by the time this message arrived.

I was reading a diagnosis of the problems the Oklahoma City Thunder are working on to move to a higher level of success and the word consistency crept into each issue. The fact is the Thunder is made up of really good players and coaches. When in their “A” game they are very hard to beat. Problems occur when they slack off, like not transitioning quickly to the other end after making a spectacular basket. They do not have time to bask in their glory, or be peeved that a foul was not called, or even to replace a shoe that popped off.

This is an example that Paul emulated and encourages us to follow. Keep implementing the game plan. For us that means keep loving even when justice has not prevailed, even when we felt we had really accomplished something big and could rest for a while on our laurels, even when we don’t have all the resources we might need. Let your gentleness be known to everyone.

Prayer: We do rejoice in you, O Lord, and pray that we will be consistent in implementing your game plan. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.