Tag Archives: Loved by God

Loving God

Living in the Spirit

August 29, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Jeremiah 2:4-13

Therefore once more I accuse you,
says the Lord,
   and I accuse your children’s children.
Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look,
   send to Kedar and examine with care;
   see if there has ever been such a thing.
Has a nation changed its gods,
   even though they are no gods?
But my people have changed their glory
   for something that does not profit.
Be appalled, O heavens, at this,
   be shocked, be utterly desolate,

says the Lord,
for my people have committed two evils:
   they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living water,
   and dug out cisterns for themselves,
cracked cisterns
   that can hold no water. –Jeremiah 2:9-13

The Creator God does not force God’s ways on us. We must choose to follow God. That decision is made most often because we seek the relationship of pure love that God gives freely. God always has our best interest at heart and following God opens more doors to more choices we can make as we strive to be the person God created us to be. God does expect us to love God and love one another. Most of the problems we encounter when we chose other gods, is that we turn our backs on God’s love resulting in failure to love others. Most of the problems in our world today are the result of actions that hurt other people, like greed and lust for power, the idols of our times. The Ukrainian War is an excellent example of greed and power running amok destroying innocent people like cracked cisterns that can hold no water. Life cannot survive without water or without love. As Christ-followers we are called to love until love rules the world.

Prayer: God, so fill us with your love that we learn to love one another. 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.

All are Made in the Image of God

Living in the Spirit

July 1, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16

See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.—Galatians 6:11-16

Why do people seem to think their way of worshipping God is the only way or the right way? If God created each of us as individuals, doesn’t it just make sense that there would be as many ways of celebrating God in our lives, demonstrating God in our lives as there are people? Indeed, we cluster with people like us, but we can and must be open to the unique nature of others who love God and more importantly are loved by God just as much as each of us is.

Why do we feel called to police the lives of others, to even impose our belief systems on them within our civil governance in a land that prides itself on the separation of church and state?  We are called to share the love of God with others. I have been helped by others who suggested ways of being a better me and hope that I have helped others in the same way. In the final analysis, however, we are responsible for establishing and building our relationship with God, examining ourselves to better sync with God. We never know when a person with whom we are interacting will give us the very thing that helps us take a closer walk with God and hopefully we serve that role for others.

Prayer: Lord, help us realize our relationship with you opens the doors to loving others without judging them. 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.

The High Priest

Living in the Spirit

October 14, 2021

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,
‘You are my Son,
   today I have begotten you’;
as he says also in another place,
‘You are a priest forever,
   according to the order of Melchizedek.’ –Hebrews 5:1-6

Having been raised in a faith system that emphasizes the priesthood of all believers who follow the example of Jesus Christ, I have no problem accepting the description of Christ as the one High Priest. I have always been curious, though, about this character Melchizedek. Did Christ come to earth much earlier in our history of God? The name means something like the King of Righteousness*. John 1:2 does tell us that Jesus was with God at creation.

The first part of this scripture tells us the job description of a high priest. The job includes being the chief executive officer of mortals in their relationship with God, who offers gifts and sacrifices for mortals’ sins while dealing gently with them. The High Priest must know what being weak is like and what it is like to offer sacrifices for oneself. Allowing oneself to be hung on a cross indeed covers these last two requirements. Finally, the High Priest must be selected and appointed by God.

The author of Hebrews describes the Christ who is above all and yet lowers himself to understand humans. The description highlights the one and only God that loves us enough to come and dwell among us. God with us experienced the way we feel, saw the world through the eyes of a regular person, understood personal temptation and human hypocrisy, and was willing to die on a cross to fill the gap between our striving to follow God and our missteps along the way. We call that amazing grace. And for that, we are eternally thankful.

Prayer:
Thank You Lord For Saving My Soul,
Thank You Lord For Making Me Whole,
Thank You Lord For Giving To Me,
Thy Great Salvation So Full And Free. Amen.

*The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible Volume 3 page 34, Abingdon Press, 12th Edition 1981

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.