Tag Archives: God’s guidance

God’s Constant Presence

Living in the Spirit

November 10, 2021

Scripture Reading: Daniel 12:1-3 and Psalm 16

‘At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. –Daniel 12:1-3

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.

The lectionary listed two scriptures noted above for today, and I thought about using Psalm 16. It is joyous. The above snippet from Daniel is just a tease about the whole book chosen, most likely because it foretells the coming of a savior.

The morning news often grabs my attention and shifts my thinking in a different direction. Actually, I read this story the first time yesterday. A man in a small Nashville church sitting on the front row rose, turned toward the other congregates, and pointed a gun at them. The Pastor, out of the man’s sight, slipped behind him, wrapping his arms around him, taking the man and the weapon to the floor. Others quickly helped restrain him, and the police soon removed him. No one was hurt. Hopefully, the man who needed mental health services got it. News reports indicated that the congregation credited the Pastor with saving their lives. However, he explained their lives were in God’s hands the whole time.

While I do not enjoy trying to identify all the hidden meanings in Daniel and other apocryphal writings, I do appreciate their message that our lives are in God’s hands all the time. It is to our great benefit to rejoice and be glad in that fact.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for guiding us as we serve you. Open our ears to hear your advice and give us the courage to follow it. 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.

God’s Guidance

Christmastide

December 29, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 31:7-14

For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
   and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
   ‘Save, O Lord, your people,
   the remnant of Israel.’
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
   and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
   those with child and those in labor, together;
   a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come,
   and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
   in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
   and Ephraim is my firstborn. — Jeremiah 31:7-9

Jeremiah proclaims that the people will be returned to their land, and indeed they were. People left behind remained, and sharing the land was a challenge when those in exile returned. The temple lay in ruins and had to be rebuilt. While they were technically returning to their homeland, they remained under the governance of their captors. We here in Oklahoma are accustomed to rebuilding after tornadoes and wildfires. Significant loss changes people. We decide if such change is for the better or the worse. Such times of rebuilding and recovery is always for the better when we trust in God to guide us.

Our whole world is currently dealing with the COVID pandemic. Our nation is experiencing a tumultuous election and changing of governmental leadership. Racial division is raw across our land. We are not the first to deal with recovery as those who returned from exile did. I leave you with the words of an old hymn written in 1641 by Georg Neumark:

1 If you but trust in God to guide you
and place your confidence in him,
you’ll find him always there beside you
to give you hope and strength within;
for those who trust God’s changeless love
build on the rock that will not move.

2 Only be still and wait his pleasure
in cheerful hope with heart content.
He fills your needs to fullest measure
with what discerning love has sent;
doubt not our inmost wants are known
to him who chose us for his own.

3 Sing, pray, and keep his ways unswerving,
offer your service faithfully,
and trust his word; though undeserving,
you’ll find his promise true to be.
God never will forsake in need
the soul that trusts in him indeed*.

Prayer: Guide us, O Lord, as we seek recovery and renewal for ourselves, our nation, and our world.  Amen.

*See at https://hymnary.org/text/if_you_but_trust_in_god_to_guide_you#Author

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.

Love Came Down at Christmas

Advent

December 14, 2020

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’ Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; …Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established forever. –2 Samuel 7:5-8, 16

Of course, David’s son, Solomon, eventually built an elaborate temple for the Lord. Having a central place to worship and coordinate mission work and education is helpful, but our scripture above indicates not required. The COVID pandemic has challenged us much in maintaining our work in God’s service outside of the norms to which we are accustomed. Having had to work outside the box or, in this case, the building has made us prioritize and become more creative. While I will welcome someday returning to our sanctuary to worship, I am sure this experience has taught us many useful lessons.

The first week of shutting down and sheltering at home last March was hard. My first reaction to most challenges is to do something. I do not define doing nothing as “something.”  Since that early experience, I realized that we are not called to do “something” we are called to love in righteousness. We are called, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to discern what is right and what is just in the eyes of God, in all aspects of our lives and all interactions with others.

During this time, set aside in our calendars of life, to acknowledge the Incarnation of our Lord and Savior, let us take the time to review and renew our calling to love in righteousness.

Love came down at Christmas,
love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
star and angels gave the sign.

Love shall be our token;
love be yours and love be mine;
love to God and others,
love for plea and gift and sign*.

Prayer: Spirit of God fall afresh on us this Christmas as we prepare to face a new year. Amen.

*First and last verse of Love Came Down at Christmas by Christina Georgina Rossetti

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.

Words of Our Mouths

Kingdom Building

November 17, 2019

Scripture Reading: Luke 21:5-19

‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls. –Luke 21:12-19

I am one of those introverts who thinks of the right thing to say two hours or so after leaving the meeting or visit in which I needed to comment. I hope I usually say something appropriate, but I do not always say what I think would be the best response. I also at times role around in my bed for hours in the night trying to word in my mind the input I might have in a difficult upcoming discussion. I cannot count the task forces and committees etc. on which I have served. On analysis, I think like Jacob I wrestle with God on these occasions which allows me to say to God all the things I should not say in the meeting. Once I get them off my chest, I am more opened to the uncommon common sense of God. Perhaps God intercedes with me when I must respond extemporaneously by giving me the something appropriate to say while allowing me time to discern the best way.

One of our founders, Thomas Paine when considering the plight of our nations beginnings is quoted as saying: These are the times that try men’s souls. Those words are applicable now. I would add women to those impacted. I think we are at a crossroads where we can bravely move forward toward a new and better civilization or become the ruins our descendants will visit some day as I did a few years ago walking the streets of Ephesus. I sensed the presence of Paul there. Nearby was the site where tradition says that Luke did his medical training. While Ephesus and the medical school lie in ruin, Paul and Luke’s writings are as meaningful today as they were then.

We serve a living God who can put words in our mouths or take them out if we invite God to guide us toward that new and better civilization, Christ called the Kingdom of God.

Prayer: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart    be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer*. Amen.

*Psalm 19:14

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.

God’s Guidance

Eastertide

May 22, 2019

Scripture Reading: Psalm 67
May God be gracious to us and bless us
   and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known upon earth,
   your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
   let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
  for you judge the peoples with equity
   and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
   let all the peoples praise you.
the earth has yielded its increase;
   God, our God, has blessed us.
May God continue to bless us;
   let all the ends of the earth revere him.

As I write this, I am receiving more and more ominous warnings about impending dangerous weather. “Flash flood warning” “A tornado watch has been issued for current location” “Oklahoma City opens disaster bunker as severe weather threat looms.”  There is more than one storm expected and they apparently all are not good. Our lakes are full, and more water means more floods. Tornados are not that unusual in May in Oklahoma, but this seems to be a particularly dangerous situation. It is good to have alerts. When I was a child, we spent a lot of time in our cellar because we knew the weather was bad, but we did not know how bad.

I open my computer and see the above scripture and wonder how this scripture relates to my reality today. Being under the protection of God’s wings would have been immediately meaningful to me. So I read it again and again and take a walk inside my house because walking helps me organize my thoughts. As I passed by my “safe place” which is where I will go if a tornado gets close, I was intrigued with what I thought was necessary.  The scripture puts emphasis on the power of God particularly as it relates to judging the people with equity and guiding the nations.

Our nation is in chaos making me feel like I do when surrounded by tornadoes. It is in times likes these when lust for power and greed are ruling our land and we are being divided in support of those sins. In times like these we do need to cling to the gracious God who blesses us. God is our safe place. In following God’s guidance, we can overcome the world.

Prayer: Lord, help us not be distracted by the things of the world, but to seek your guidance in all that we do. 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.

Tenacious or Not

Eastertide
April 28, 2018

Scripture Reading: John 15:1-8
‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

I love the imagery of the vine and the branches and bearing fruit because it means I have help regarding anything I am called to do. The imagery of being pruned and having branches cut off is a little off-putting. One of my good traits is tenacity; one of my bad traits is tenacity. Learning when, as Jesus says, to shake the dust off your feet* and move on is hard. In Oklahoma, I worked with a team for ten years to get legislation passed to improve the quality of child care in the state. Preparing preschoolers for kindergarten is vital particularly children coming from families who did not have that opportunity themselves. I was a bit player in this pursuit, but I watched the experts in early childcare development work with tenacity until they got the job done. On the other hand, how many times should one pound his or her head against a brick wall before he or she realized their efforts are to no avail?

Sometimes the right thing to do is to put a good idea on hold until a better time. Sometimes finding a different path to attain the desired outcome will become apparent.

I think God must be the most tenacious of all for God is still depending on we humans to make this world just and merciful.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for not giving up on us. Trim our branches and nourish us with your love as we strive to know and do your will. Amen.

*See Matthew 10:14

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.

Works in Progress

Living in the Spirit
July 6, 2017

Scripture Reading: Romans 7:15-25a

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. –Romans 7:15-20

We are works in progress. None are perfect, yet we strive for perfection, learning from our successes and failures, asking for forgiveness and mercy when needed. We should not be too hard on ourselves nor too easy. Wasting time and energy in continual self-deprecation helps no one. Continuous self-evaluation and adjustments are key to overcoming our deficiencies.

God generously provided within the scope of God’s love scripture to guide us along the way, Jesus as a role model, communities of faith to support and nurture, and the Holy Spirit to guide and direct. When we engage with these gifts, we grow in spirit and truth enabling us to turn away from evil and seek God’s good.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart;
Rise to all eternity.*

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your grace. Thank you for inspiration and expectation and for insight and passion. Direct us to use all our gifts to your service in creating your Kingdom on earth. Amen.

*Final verse of Jesus Lover of My Soul by Charles Wesley see at http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Jesus_Lover_of_My_Soul/

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.

The Rock

ChangeLiving in the Spirit
October 29, 2014

Scripture Reading: Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37

Some wandered in desert wastes,
   finding no way to an inhabited town;
  hungry and thirsty,
  their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
  and he delivered them from their distress;
  he led them by a straight way,
  until they reached an inhabited town. — 107:4-7

Have you ever driven into an unfamiliar area and, become hungry while watching the gas needle edge ever so much closer to that big “E” and begun to wonder if you will ever find a restaurant or service station? The first time I drove from Oklahoma to the east coast down I-40, I had never encountered so many trees blocking the view beyond the road. Oklahoma has a lot of wide open spaces in its landscape. The trees were beautiful but I could not tell where there were places to get gas or food. It was the first time that I had seen highway signs that gave some indication that there were actually places to eat, get gas, or spend the night up ahead. They were needed because I sure could not tell just from scanning the horizon. Now I think I might be lost if I forget my cell phone and do not have access to GPS coordinates that will guide me quickly to exactly what I need, most of the time.

Is that how Moses felt while wondering in the wilderness; how it feels to totally trust in God’s guidance? While we today may think we have the earth well mapped with locational directions a few clicks away, entering the territories of cultures and religions, differing systems of government and economies, and differing socio-economic neighborhoods can be just as daunting as being lost in the wilderness. All kinds of fears crop up: Fears of inadequacy to meet the challenges, fears for safety, fears for loss of self-esteem, and fears of change. We are living in a time of change that is probably more pronounced than the reformation or the industrial revolution. Technology and communications has advanced so quickly that we now can get a nightly report of how many new Ebola cases have occurred in what area of Africa since yesterday.

I am reminded of an old hymn, In Times Like These by Ruth Caye Jones
In times like these, we need a Savior
  In times like these, we need an anchor
  Be very sure, be very sure
 Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

The Good News is that we have just such a Savior.

Prayer: We trust in you, O Lord, help our lack of trust. 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.

Whistleblowers and Tattle Tells

Living in the Spirit
August 4, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

 Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. This is the story of the family of Jacob. 

Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves.* But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. — Genesis 37:1-4

Thou shalt not tattle is one of the most sacred of childhood’s codes. Chronic tattle tellers are shunned and sometimes banned from the play group. I suppose the same could be said for what we adults call whistleblowers. Usually associated with the work place, both private sector and governmental, these are the people who report what they perceive to be less than acceptable work, or lack thereof, occurring on the job. Part of the problem is discerning whether the tattler or whistleblower is truly concerned about what has transpired or if they are trying to raise their own status at the expense of others. My hunch with Joseph is that his motivation was a little of both. As one of the younger brother, he was already envisioning himself as an equal to his father and thus saw the need for work to be productive. He had visions of ruling his brothers. At seventeen and younger, he did not have the good sense to not flaunt his superior talents and skills.  He soon got a lesson in humility in an empty cistern.

If nothing else the story of Joseph is a story of redemption. We could all take sides as to who was right and who was wrong in this situation. Rueben obviously knew what the brothers were doing was wrong. He even tried to intervene but failed. How many times have we wished we had stopped something or started something and did not? And when the dust has settled, how often would things had been better if we had implemented our wishes?

I personally have prayed many times, “God guard my tongue”. Those are usually times when what I wanted to say was more a shot back at something rather than addressing a problem. Shots back usually cause more problems, I have discovered. However, as far as regrets go, I have had deeper senses of failure when I have not spoken. It takes courage to tattle or to whistle blow when one’s motivation is spot on right and one knows it to the depths of that still small voice of God whispering in his or her ear. I still need to pray for God to guard my tongue. I also need to pray for God to loosen it when it is God’s will that I speak.

Prayer: Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3) but help me also remember when you said if these were silent, the stones would shout out. (Luke 19:40) Give me the courage to speak out in your service. (Luke 19:40) 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.