Tag Archives: Kingdom of God

Christ is with Us

truth-1Living in the Spirit
November 5, 2016

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:36-44

‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. –Matthew 24:36-39

I am perplexed, perhaps more mesmerized, by the conversation between Jesus and Pilate at Jesus’ trial recorded in John 18:36-38.

Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?

We live in a world requiring fact checkers who nuance accuracy by degree: mostly true, somewhat true, somewhat false, mostly false. Was truth first identified as flexible via Pilate’s statement? Probably not, most likely people manipulated truth from the beginning of time. Perfectly reasonable people, as I assume the people of first century Rome and Israel alike were just like us today, could clearly be presented facts and deny that they existed. Truthfulness is a keystone of our election this year, and everybody seems to define their own truth with an underlining understanding that everybody lies.

What does that have to do with the return of Christ? What if all the pundits are wrong waiting for Jesus to come back and save us from the mess we are making of God’s world? What if Jesus is waiting for us to get our act together because he never left, is with us now, and, with his abiding guidance, expects us to become the Kingdom he taught us to be. When that happens, we might realize he has already pitched his tent among us.

Prayer: Lord, be present with us as we return to your way and work toward your vision of this world. 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.

Scrooge

scroogeLiving in the Spirit
September 21, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 16:19-31

He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” ’
–Luke 16:27-31

I know it is not Christmas, but I always think of Scrooge when I read this scripture. Remember in Charles Dicken’s  A Christmas Carol, how Scrooge’s old friend Marley appears to him to tell him that he would have three visitors. These ghostly visions are coming to relate his past to his present and warn him about their shortfalls impacting his future. Unlike the prediction of our scripture today, Scrooge gets the message. He repents of his greed and miserliness. He receives the rewards of a loving family and a loving employee.

Abraham did not hold out much hope for the rich man’s brothers. The brothers, probably like the rich man, might have been so full of themselves they had no room in their life for God much less for being a partner in building the Kingdom of God.

Maybe it is time for each of us to consider the ghosts of our past and present to determine how they are shaping our future and that of the coming generations. The rewards of love are priceless.

Prayer: Lord, help us examine ourselves to see what from our past has filled us with anything that blocks your vision for us, what from our present is keeping us from loving like you love, and what is your hope for our future. 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.

Remolded, Remade

onewithgod1Living in the Spirit
August 29, 2016

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-11

Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. –Jeremiah 18:5-10

“Are ye able,” said the Master,
“to be crucified with me?”
“Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered,
“to the death we follow thee.”  

Lord, we are able. Our spirits are thine.
Remold them, make us, like thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be
a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty*.

I favor many hymn poems and melodies, too, but some hymns stay with me because of one line of poetry. Called by Jesus to be partners in the establishment of the Kingdom of God, there exists no more important pray than the line Remold them, make us, like thee, divine drawn from Jeremiah. Even in today’s post-modern thought we still struggle to describe our relationship with God and to describe God. Are you Able was written in 1802 when apparently its author envisioned a relationship with God as human spirit to divine spirit. When praying this line, my memory rewords it to “Remold me, make me like thee, divine”. I apparently sense myself as an autonomous wholeness. In worship with others I can readily substitute the word “us” for “me” but singing from memory I also substitute “us” for “them”. It is a bit ironic because I generally do not like other people rewriting another person’s poetry.

Human beings have the ability to make choices about who they are, how they react to situations, and who they are becoming. We even have the choice to relate to God or not and whether that relationship is a meaningful part of our lives. There exists an immense amount of love in the granting of that choice. This love says that God has our backs in anything and everything when we open ourselves to a continuing relationship. God does not want us to be something we are not. God wants to help us become who we are.

Prayer: Remold us, make us like you. Amen.

*First Verse and Refrain from the Hymn Are Ye Able words by Earl Marlatt. See at http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh530.sht

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.

Unconditional Covenant

AbraLiving in the Spirit
August 3, 2016

Scripture Reading: Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23

Our God comes and does not keep silence,
   before him is a devouring fire,
   and a mighty tempest all around him.
He calls to the heavens above
   and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
‘Gather to me my faithful ones,
   who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!’
The heavens declare his righteousness,
   for God himself is judge. –Psalm 50:3-6

What is sacrifice? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as:
1b: someone or something consecrated and offered to a god or spiritual being
3a: destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else: giving up of some desirable thing in behalf of a higher object b: something given up or lost*

This poet of Psalms is referring to the Abrahamic covenant described in Genesis 15 where God entered into an unconditional covenant sealed with God firing the altar to burn the animals Abram had offered. The culmination of the promise God made to Abram to make of him a great nation, it is not a story for the uncommitted. Making nations work requires accepting responsibilities for the well-being of one another. Making nations work for the role out of the Kingdom of God requires a commitment to the well-being of all nations.

As Christians, we have inherited this covenant in choosing to follow Jesus Christ who sacrificed his life to reconcile us to God. Jesus called us to work toward the fruition of the Kingdom of God on earth. He did not call us to create a theocratic government. He called us to live our love for him in such a way that his love eventually is the world’s standard. It happens when God’s love reflects in every aspect of our lives including our participation in any form of government in which we find ourselves.

Prayer: Lord, help us fulfill our responsibilities of Kingdom building as we live your love. Amen.

*http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/Sacrifice

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.

Made to be a Kingdom

tips169Eastertide
March 31, 2016

Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:4-8

John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

 Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

 To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. –Revelation 1:4-6

We have been made to be a kingdom. What does that mean? Does it describe our interdependence? Do we need each other to thrive and live in God’s abundant love? Does that mean all of God’s children are included in such a kingdom? These are fundamental questions about which we each must struggle if we are to make sense of our purpose on earth.

In Matthew 29:19-20 Jesus sends us out into the world with these words: 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.’

In John 17:22-23 Jesus prayed: The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

If we hold to the hope that God’s love is unconditional for each of us, then we must understand that God’s love is unconditional for all. We have not been granted the authority to place conditions on each other and we have been commanded to love one another. Easier said than done. I understand that to mean that God’s kingdom is faith fed, not fear bound; inclusive, not exclusive; empathetic, not judgmental; and sharing, not hoarding. What do you think?

Prayer: Lord, show us how to overcome the fears and drives that separate us from one another and limit our ability to be one as you so deeply desired. 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 Intentionality of Love

toJerusalem-218x300Lent
March 17, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 19:28-40

After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.  

When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.”’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ –Luke 19:28-34

Luke’s story of what has come to be known as Jesus’ Triumphal Entry illustrates a lot of intentionality. Preplanning seems to have taken place. Perhaps the owner of the donkey willingly shared his or her animal but for his or her own safety remained anonymous. There was even a signal message set up so the donkey could be released to the right people. Luke was also well acquainted with the Hebrew scriptures describing the coming of a king riding on a donkey (Zech. 9:9)

Across town history tells us, the Romans used grand entries to enforce their authority. Rulers, Pilate perhaps, would ride into town after battles or otherwise in ceremonial fashion on grand horses leading a mass of soldiers. The Peace of Roman came through power and fear and aggression. Quite a contrast, wouldn’t you say, to a lowly Jewish Rabbi riding in on a working animal. Was Jesus mocking the Romans?

Jesus professed that communal peace, world peace, can truly only come via love and justice. Personal peace, too, is ours through a radical relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Yet the fall back on violence is just so tempting. It seems to satisfy some kind of primal urge to establish one’s self worth. Created in the image of God, all people are children of God and have worth beyond measure. Think what a wonderful world it would be if everyone could accept that simple fact. It would be truly the Kingdom of God.

Prayer: Lord, let your ways be known to us so that we may live with the intentionality of love you modeled for us. 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.

Nations and God

God of our fathersEpiphany
January 11, 2016

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
   and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
   and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication,
   and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
   that the mouth of the Lord will give. –Isaiah 62:1-2

The Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra opens its classics presentations with the playing and singing of the American National Anthem. Recently at the symphony, a young couple sat next to me, who spoke very good English as they excused their way past me to take their seats, but conversed with each other in what I think was Chinese. I guessed they were foreign exchange students and observed their attention increase when the internationally renowned guest pianist walked onto the stage. When the first note of the National Anthem played, the entire audience rose to our feet. The young couple also stood, it was a very polite and appropriate action even though they did not owe allegiance to our country and they most likely did not know the words to the song.

Isaiah’s writing for today made me wonder what is my allegiance to my country from the viewpoint of my faith. I am a very strong believer in the separation of church and state. Pleased to live in a free society that attempts to recognize the rights of all to follow the faith of their choice. I also understand how fragile nations are in the annals of history. It is important that we care for those things about our nation that are important to us. I am not talking about a façade of patriotism. I am talking about leaving a legacy of religious freedom for our posterity like my ancestors did for me.

It seems to me that God’s kingdom is founded on love and it is impossible to make anyone love another. I do not think God wants us to ever try to force anyone to love God. God loves each of God’s children and wants nothing more than to have that love reciprocated, but not by human manipulation. Christ’s partners in kingdom building are far more successful in introducing those, who do not know God, to God by loving them the way God loves each of us. We cannot legislate the Kingdom of God into reality.

Prayer: God so empower our ability to love each other that our nation is known for its love not its laws. 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.

Freed to Love

goal3_smChristmas
January 1, 2016

 Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14

With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory. –Ephesians 1:8b-14

A self-descriptive phrase I use often is I do not do money. Never ask me to serve as treasurer of anything. I am most thankful that I worked in a system for 35 years that provided a defined benefit retirement plan because I would not have handled a defined contribution plan well. I think I am responsible with money or at least I have set it up with my bank that all my bills are paid on time and in the right amounts. I don’t like debt so I mostly avoid it probably more because I don’t like to deal with money than because I think it is a wise economic strategy. The retirement system has allowed me the luxury of investing my retirement years exactly as I chose.

So too is what our scripture today describes as our relationship with God. Enrolled in the defined benefit plan of God’s grace, we are each freed to work toward the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God on earth without restraint. Whatever talents or skills God has instilled in us can be returned to God’s service in full measure. Not only are we freed to be fully engaged in working God’s plan, we have been provided an advocate a counselor to guide us on the journey.

A New Year has begun. Let us celebrate the gift of God’s love and grace by becoming fully vested in God’s plan.

Prayer: Lord, guide us on our journey toward the fulfillment of your vision for all people. 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.

Refine and Purify

new_creationAdvent
December 1, 2015

Scripture Reading: Malachi 3:1-4

For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. –Malachi 2b-4

There is a little, relatively small, gadget in my kitchen designed to sharpen knives. It works really well, although it does require some elbow grease as it is not electric. It has one groove that is rougher for sharpening the dulled blade and one that is designed to hone the blade to its final form. It works on small paring knives, the larger chopping ones, and everything in between. I have found it is best to routinely pass the blades through this little machine for if you let a knife go too long, it will take a lot more work to get it back to its intended sharpness. Of course it will not work on serrated knives but they are not supposed to ever need sharpening. I have not found that to be the case.

Malachi identifies the one who is coming as one who will act as a refiner, sharping us to be prepared always for our Kingdom work. We are called now to be about the business of keeping ourselves ready and able to do God’s bidding as God calls. Jesus talked about it being like bridesmaids keeping their lamps full of oil awaiting the bridegroom’s arrival. (Matthew 25:10)

The lesson of the serrated knives is more complex. If we do not think we ever need to be sharpened, we may think we are fully prepared for the Kingdom when we are not.

Prayer: Hone me, O Lord, cleanse me of all that separates me from you. Forgive me when I assume there is nothing more I can learn to help me serve you better. Equip me to be a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15b) 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.

Mothers and Fathers

Hannah praying for a childLiving in the Spirit
November 9, 2015

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 1:4-20

After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. She made this vow: ‘O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.’ –I Samuel 1:9-11

There is probably no greater role for a woman than being a mother and no greater role for a man than being a father, if for no other reason than the very future of society is in each parent’s grasp. I doubt if most people choose to have children because of the impact they will have on society but it is still true. The sole worth of the women of the Hebrew Bible, however, seemed to be defined in their ability to bare a male heir. Woe to the women who only had girls or never conceived.

Many would view this as an injustice today but the worth of women varies across the world. Some societies continue this ancient tradition while others, like our own, value employment primarily held by women less than employment primarily held by men. Across the board women are paid less than men.

Jesus valued women not just for their child baring potential but for who they were and the contributions they could make to the fruition of the kingdom of God. He obviously valued mothers, particularly his own as he assured she had someone to care for her as he hung dying on the cross. Jesus’ main goal seemed to be the fulfillment of the kingdom of God and to that end he required the talents and skills of all God’s children male and female. Still does.

Prayer: God, help us to see the worth in each person and help us to foster the development of every child, boy or girl, to reach their fullest potential. 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.