Tag Archives: God’s Love

Forever Together

Advent

December 13, 2021

Scripture Reading: Micah 5:2-5a

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
   who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
   one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
   from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
   when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
   to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
   in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
   to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.

Keeping a relationship with the One Supreme God is necessary to meet basic needs, live securely in the world, and be at peace. As described by Micah in the above Scripture, the manifestation of the one to come will lead all God’s people in forming such a relationship. However, problems arise throughout the history of God when people become distracted and led away from the ways of God. Our greatest temptation as we reach places of comfort and abundance is no longer to feel the need for such a relationship. It is the story of the self-made billionaire. None of us were self-made; none of us pulled ourselves up from our bootstraps. Where did the boots come from in the first place? God created all people and endowed them with skills and talents nourished along the way by a hug, an example, or a cup of water. Most of us were blest with various mentors and enablers along the way. And yes, many of us put in long hours of hard work to succeed. God created us for a purpose. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. (Luke 12:48)

We, as Christ-followers, now identify the one the prophet foretold as Jesus, who came to us as an infant, was nurtured by loving parents, and grew into the one who paved the road for us to follow toward forming a sustaining relationship with the One Supreme God. We call him by many names; one is God with Us.

Prayer: Lord of all, forgive us when we think we no longer need to be in a relationship with you. As we move closer and closer to celebrating the birth of God with Us, kindle in us the fire of your love forever. 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 Is

Advent

December 6, 2021

Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
   shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
   O daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgements against you,
   he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
   you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion;
   do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
   a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
   he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
   as on a day of festival.
I will remove disaster from you,
   so that you will not bear reproach for it.
I will deal with all your oppressors
   at that time.
And I will save the lame
   and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
   and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you home,
   at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
   among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
   before your eyes, says the Lord.

I needed this scripture this morning; you may too. I recommend that you not only read it but inhale it into your soul. As you read it consider what you are doing as a disciple of Christ to hasten the Kingdom of God in fulness across the whole earth.     

Prayer: God of Grace and Love, thank you for freeing us from despair guide us to live within the light of 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.

Humility

Advent

November 24, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 25:1-10

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
   teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
   for you are the God of my salvation;
   for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
   for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
   according to your steadfast love remember me,
   for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;
   therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
   and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
   for those who keep his covenant and his decrees. –Psalm 25:4-10

Humble: having a low opinion of one’s own importance or merits; modest or meek in spirit, manner, or appearance: not proud or haughty*.

The proud or haughty cannot be taught anything. Their opinions or values are their truth, whether it aligns with reality or not. Often their truths seep into our culture and are accepted as norms. God’s ways are not the ways of the proud or haughty. As I observed people, I discerned that one of the worst messages parents or others relay to children is that they are better than anybody else. Most children, deep in their hearts, know that is not true. They may be good at some things, but they see others whose skills are better than theirs in other areas. The results are far-reaching. Some who have been given that message become bullies, some develop inferior complexes, and some kill people in what they perceive as self-defense, not because their lives are in danger, but their self-image is threatened. Such minors should not be imprisoned, but they need help rather than being given licenses to kill or enable copycats.

People are created in the image of God, determined not by looks but by how they love. Therefore, we cannot follow the paths of the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness until we take off the garments of privilege.

Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). Amen.

*https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/humble

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.

Maturing in Love

Living in the Spirit

November 11, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18), 19-25

And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, ‘he sat down at the right hand of God’, and since then has been waiting ‘until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.’ For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy
Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
‘This is the covenant that I will make with them
   after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
   and I will write them on their minds’,
he also adds,
‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.—Hebrews 10:11-14

Love is not something anyone can command. Love of self, love of family, love of God must be a choice. The words “free will” are not included in the above scripture, but they are present between the lines. The greatest gift God gave us in creating us was the right to choose who and how we love. That gift was given from the One who is love and, in creating humans in that One’s image, freely chose to love each of us no matter what. God’s love and Christ were present at the creation and continued through the many acts of rescuing and reframing of God’s people described in the Hebrew Bible. God enabled those who chose to love him, Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Esther, and many prophets, to provide guidance and opportunities to live the better way of life ruled by love. God even wrote those laws on human hearts, making them readily accessible. Humans, however, proved to be malleable to the temptations of other gods, drawing away from the One who created them. God never gives up. God came to dwell among us in the person of Jesus, who taught us by his life and his words and ultimately gave his life for our salvation. However, God is God, and crucifixion was not the last word. Jesus, the Christ, arose and dwells with us still in the Holy Spirit. His act of love granted us the grace we needed to live in God’s house forever as we strive toward perfecting our ability to love.

At times our growing pains are palpable. We now, unfortunately, live in such a time as this. In many ways, we are acting like a two-year-old transitioning from infancy to childhood. Greed, lust for power, and self-righteousness have replaced justice and God’s righteousness, as we worship gods of our design. Continuing down this path has never worked before and will not work this time. Our world was created to function at its best when it is ruled by love, and we are suffering from not accepting that reality. The time is now to turn around and refocus our lives on God’s way of being, individually and collectively, until we are all one in God.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for our foolish ways. We invite your Spirit into our lives to restore our souls individually and collectively as we strive to become one in 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.

God’s Journey of Love

Living in the Spirit

May 29, 2021

Scripture Reading: John 3:1-17

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? –John 3:1-9

Faith in Jesus Christ seems to boil down to a choice. I have wondered why God created us with free will. God highly values having a mutual relationship with humans, and God desires that relationship to be reciprocal. We call that relationship with God love; love does not exist on a one-way street.

The English language dumps a whole lot of meaning on the word love. We use it as a stronger word than like to describing the very essence of God. The Greek Language used in the New Testament has six different words for love. We are most familiar with agape—God’s love, éros—love between a couple, and philía—Sibling love. I work from the definition of human love as wanting the absolute best for another. Our love of God is a deep desire to live within the standards of God’s love shared with us.

Thus, we are born as humans made in the image of God. At some point, we must decide to love like God or not. That choice opens the window of our souls to the indwelling of the Spirit of God and sets us on the path to wholeness and oneness with God and living justly with all God’s other children.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of the Spirit to lead and guide us on your incredible journey of 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.

Lord of the Dance

Lent

March 10, 2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
   for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
   those he redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
   from the east and from the west,
   from the north and from the south. –Psalm 107:1-3

I received my second COVID vaccination about a month ago and was surprised at the relief I felt. My life has not changed much. I still wear a mask outside of my home. I socially distance and am much better at washing my hands now than I was before COVID.

My church has offered Facebook and live streaming worship services since a few weeks after the pandemic hit last year. In the fall, we returned to in-person worship but still provide the others as well. We learned from adding the remote services how much they mean to people who are homebound, in general, or just home with a sick child for one Sunday. I returned to in-person worship two weeks ago. Our pews are roped off, limiting seating to every fourth pew; communion comes in prepackaged servings available at the pews. Offering plates are available at the entrances. Greetings become little dances of who remembers just to bump fists or touch elbows. Such behavior usually results in good-natured laugher.

The above-quoted Psalm instructs us to give thanks to the Lord even in troubled times. While troubles’ severity ebbs and flows, it is a constant in our lives, from the pesky flat tire to a worldwide pandemic that has permanently changed our way of being. We are strengthened to deal with and overcome troubles because God’s steadfast love does endure forever. Paul notes in Romans 8:28, We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Now is our time to look for the good that can result from this horrific pandemic using what we have learned better ways to develop the Kingdom of God in our world today.

Lord of the Dance

I danced in the morning
When the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon
And the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven
And I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem
I had my birth.

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he

I danced for the scribe
And the pharisee,
But they would not dance
And they wouldn’t follow me.
I danced for the fishermen,
For James and John
They came with me
And the Dance went on.

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he

I danced on the Sabbath
And I cured the lame;
The holy people
Said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped
And they hung me on high,
And they left me there
On a Cross to die.

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he

I danced on a Friday
When the sky turned black
It’s hard to dance
With the devil on your back.
They buried my body
And they thought I’d gone,
But I am the Dance,
And I still go on.

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he
They cut me down
And I leapt up high;
I am the life
That’ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you
If you’ll live in me –
I am the Lord
Of the Dance, said he*.

Prayer: Lord of the Dance, live in us as we face the challenges of our day. Amen.

*https://www.google.com/search?q=lord+of+the+dance+lyrics&rlz=1C1CHZN_enUS922US922&oq=Lord+of+the+dance&aqs=chrome.2.0i355j46j0j46j0j46i175i199j0l4.7155j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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.

Mystery

Lent

February 28, 2021

Scripture Reading: Mark 9:2-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus. –Mark 9:2-8

How would we react if we encountered Jesus with Elijah and Moses? I have no idea what Peter, James, and John witnessed on that mountain. Something happened. Perhaps it was one of those aha moments where the light in their minds clicked on, and they moved more fully to understanding who Jesus was.

I do not think as a society, we deal well with the mysterious. Perhaps children and youth do. They have not been around enough to grow skeptical. Watching the way some adults act right now might be ending even childhood wisdom.  We need to reconnect with the mysterious because mystery is one aspect of faith. Faith is not concrete. It requires entering the realm of the not yet understood or known but is very real.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way was written in 1773 by William Cowper. Our ancestors in faith understood that there is that which cannot be understood. Here are his words:

God moves in a mysterious way,
    His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
    And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
    Of never failing skill;
He treasures up his bright designs,
    And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints fresh courage take,
    The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
    In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
    But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
    He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
    Unfolding ev’ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
    But sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
    And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
    And he will make it plain.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for sharing the mystery of your love that makes life plain. 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 vs Greed

Living in the Spirit

September 16, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45

O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,
   make known his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
   tell of all his wonderful works.
Glory in his holy name;
   let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Seek the Lord and his strength;
   seek his presence continually.
Remember the wonderful works he has done,
   his miracles, and the judgments he has uttered,
O offspring of his servant Abraham,
   children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

So he brought his people out with joy,
   his chosen ones with singing.
He gave them the lands of the nations,
   and they took possession of the wealth of the peoples,
that they might keep his statutes
   and observe his laws.

Praise the Lord! –Psalm 105:1-6, 43-45

Does God establish privilege for those who follow God? That seems to be the thurst of most of the stories in the Bible that begin with God’s saving grace and transition to a sense of privilege. Ultimately those who travel the path of privilege fail as the Israelites did when they were exiled.

In the scripture above, the Israelites had every right and responsibility to praise God for rescuing them out of slavery in Egypt. Did that give them the right to take other nations’ land, to steal their wealth because the Israelites observed God’s laws? Is taking land and wealth even within the limits of God’s laws? Greed colors our interpretation of scripture.

Exodus 20:15–You shall not steal.
Exodus 20:17– You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Leviticus 19:18– You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Many of our ancestors left Europe in search of religious freedom only to take the lands of the natives where our ancestors settled. They imported slaves from African as the primary means of producing wealth from that same land. They justified it as God’s will through the theory of Manifest Destiny and the issuance of the Document of Discovery. And we carry the weight of those sins to this day.

Christ came and taught us a new way of living measured not by wealth or privilege but by the love we share as we celebrate the gifts of God’s grace available to all.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for attempting to cast you as the source of the greed that engulfs us. Free us from its chains and give us the courage to live fully in the abundance of 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.

Casting Out Angst

Eastertide

May 22, 2020

Scripture Reading:
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. –1 Peter 5:6-11

Cast all your anxiety on [God], because [God] cares for you.

In the Jewish tradition, the prayer that follows, called the Shema, is one of God’s most significant admonishments.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. . . Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. –Deuteronomy 6:4-5, 8

The book of first Peter is telling us to do essentially the same thing. God loves us, God wants the best for us, we have no better Advocate than God in all of God’s manifestations. It seems adversity brings out the best in us and perhaps the worst in some instances. It requires us to call forth from God strengthening of the fruit of the spirits as we must deal lovingly and patiently with each other and all of God’s children throughout the world. We cannot see clearly to do that if we are caught I the throws of anxiety. Yes, I know how hard it is to shake. I think that is why our scripture used a very meaningful word “cast” to describe the action we must take to rid ourselves of overwhelming anxiety. Sometimes it helps to list all our anxieties, review them, and then tear them into tiny pieces and cast them in the trash. If and when they start sneaking back into your mind, do it again each time seeking God’s mercy and love as he guides us to God’s green pastures of peace.

Prayer: Lord, free us from anxiety that cripples us from dealing with our challenges today and every day. 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.

Jesus Love Me but do I know it?

Eastertide

May 16, 2020

Scripture Reading:
John 14:15-21

‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. John 14:15-17

I do not think I had ever noticed in the scripture above that the gift of the other Advocate through Jesus Christ is based on our loving Jesus and keeping his commandments. It bears a striking resemblance to one of what we now call the Ten Commandments, which goes even further, stating that our diligence in following God’s commandments impacts our descendants for better or for worse. And once again, those pesky idols are weaving their way between God and us.

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. –Exodus 20:5-6

So much of what I see going wrong with the world is our projecting our desires onto gods we create and then worship that separate us from the God who created us. I wonder if that is what Walter Brueggeman is describing as he discusses the monologic God. Brueggeman says in The Gospel of Hope:

We, in our society and in our churches, are sore tempted to monologue. Such a temptation imagines absolute certainty an sovereignty, and uncritically imagines that any of us can speak with the voice and authority of the monologic God. Such certitude is an act of idolatry.

The dialogic God, Brueggeman discusses possibly is what the prophet Amos describes when he talks about building our lives according to God’s plumb line*. God created us and set forth guidelines to help us live in wholeness. The decision to do so is ours.

Jesus commands are summarized in loving God and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. Following those commandments requires us to hold our way of being up to that standard. I think there is a two-fold assessment needed. We must consider whether how we treat another is the way we would want to be treated in similar circumstances. We also must struggle with the question do we love ourselves as the children of the God who created us. I fear much of the divisiveness in our world today, including violence, bigotry, and greed is the result of our questioning or not accepting that we are worthy of God’s love ourselves.

Prayer: Lord, be present with us as we struggle to recognize that your love for us is real and eternal freeing us to love our neighbors without question. Amen.

*See Amos 7:7-15

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.