Tag Archives: Loving Like Jesus

Living for Jesus

Living in the Spirit

September 3, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 16:21-28

Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’ –Matthew 16:24-28

I consider the phrase take up their cross and follow me, means to literally dedicate your life to the work of Kingdom building., following as closely as possible the example and teachings of Jesus. Indeed, many have literally died as a result of their faith work toward kingdom-building, but most of us are called to use talents, skills, and resources throughout our lives, working for the causes Jesus set forth for us. My mother lived that way. She was a deaconess in the Methodist church. When she married my dad, she had to give up that job, but she never gave up the work. She helped the poor, taught Sunday school, and did everything she was called to do. When age began to limit her work, she became a more diligent card sender, and even at the age of 98, bedfast and in heart failure, she routinely practiced intercessory prayer. She was a wonderful role model as one living for Jesus.

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone*.

Prayer: Lord, guide us in living for you. Show us are calling and enable us to answer that call. Amen.

*The first verse and refrain of the Hymn Living for Jesus by Thomas O. Chisholm see at https://hymnary.org/text/living_for_jesus_a_life_that_is_true#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.

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Eastertide

April 12, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 16
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.

My study bible opens this Psalm describing it as a Miktam of David. Having never heard of that word, I looked it up and learned essentially that no one knows what it means. Strongs Concordance describes it as a technical term.  It starts with a prayer, warns against idolatry, expresses appreciation for the Lord’s constancy, and celebrates the Lord’s presence which brings David joy. This seems to be an overheard prayer of David’s very personal communion with God, probably never meant for publication. I am glad it was captured for posterity, for it offers a wonderful example of an intimate relationship between an individual and God.

Prayer: Lord, this prayer is a welcomed respite from what is happening in our world today. I thank you for the opportunities I have had to rest and muse for a time with you and me as David did in this poem. 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.

Moving Forward

Eastertide

April 10, 2023

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-32

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.

‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him,
“I saw the Lord always before me,
   for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
   moreover, my flesh will live in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
   or let your Holy One experience corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
   you will make me full of gladness with your presence.” –Acts 2:14a, 22-28

Peter quotes Psalms 16:8-11 to express David’s declaration about the constancy of the Lord’s presence with him always. The coming of Jesus Christ and his life, death, and resurrection testifies to the Lord’s presence with those seeking him from that time forward.

After weeks of mourning, on the traditional celebration of Pentecost, Jesus’s disciples realized the need to get their act together and follow Jesus’s commandment 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 28:19-20)

I cannot imagine what the Disciples experienced on the day of Pentecost, but it got them out of their grief and into the work of God’s Kingdom. We have that same call today.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the strength and courage to build the beloved community you envisioned for us all. 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.

Time for Reflection

Silent Saturday

April 8, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise again.” Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, “He has been raised from the dead”, and the last deception would be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone. –Matthew 27:57-66

A house divided cannot stand. (See Matthew 12:22-28) One leader, Joseph of Arimathea, sought to bury Jesus. In comparison, the chief priests wanted to stifle any further disruptions from this Jesus as he threatened their way of being. A chill ran down my back as I read this scripture. It brought to my mind the Tennessee Legislature expelling two of its members for protesting gun violence. Six people, seven really including the perpetrator, were killed at a Nashville school. The legislature is not willing to address the issue of gun control. Instead, they proposed requiring schools to lock their doors and hire more security staff. The shooter had a history of mental health issues. Still, she was able to purchase several guns legally. The shooter entered the school with an AR-15 military-style rifle, a 9 mm Kel-Tec SUB2000 pistol caliber carbine, and a 9 mm Smith and Wesson M&P Shield EZ 2.0 handgun, according to Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake. (CNN) Several more weapons were found in her home.

God sent Jesus to intercede among all peoples to restore righteousness and justice to a world that was losing or had lost its moral compass. That seems to be a recurring reality. Jesus came to model, champion, and advocate for the rule of love. He challenged each of his followers to carry forth that same mission.

In many church calendars, this day is described as Silent Saturday. The first day of grief for Christ’s followers and perhaps a period of relief for those that crucified Jesus.  Often the first stage of grief is shock. Silent Saturday is the day God gave Christ’s followers to stop for a while, recall their experiences with Jesus, and prepare for what comes next. The world is still with us, and we, too, in working to fulfill Christ’s mission, need to process our next steps in a world in desperate need of the Savior who has already arrived and dwells among us full of grace and truth. (John 1:17)

Prayer:Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope
And my will be lost in Thine*. Amen.

*The second verse of the hymn Draw Me Nearer, by Fanny Crosby. See at https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Draw_Me_Nearer_Crosby/

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.

Loving Like Jesus

Lent

March 31, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Philippians 2:5-11

Therefore God also highly exalted him
   and gave him the name
   that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
   every knee should bend,
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
   that Jesus Christ is Lord,
   to the glory of God the Father. –Philippians 2:9-11

This is a beautiful recognition of Jesus as the chosen Christ. He certainly is worthy of our praise, but I cannot help but think he takes greater pride in his work when he sees his followers following his example. That starts with loving God and spreads to loving all God’s creation, which is a whole lot easier to say than do. Jesus even got frustrated with leaders who get too caught up in amassing wealth and prestige rather than caring for the least of these. He chased the money changers out of the temple.

I like the definition that love is wanting the very best for another, which has nothing to do with what the other can do for us. We then must struggle with the idea that we do not get to define what is best for others. The hard part comes when we see the ones we love getting involved in behavior that is self-destructive. How do we love them? We need to seek professional help as needed. We must also invest more time and energy in sharing our concerns and seeking God’s support and help. I like the example of airline instructions when an emergency arises, and all passengers must use the oxygen tubes that drop down from above our seats. The steward always says if you are traveling with someone who will need help with using oxygen, put your oxygen on first so you will be able to help your companion.  Staying in sync with God is our best way of helping others.

Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference, living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; taking this world as it is and not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next.− Reinhold Niebuhr 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.

Loving all Neighbors

Lent

March 29, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 31:9-16
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
   my eye wastes away from grief,
   my soul and body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow,
   and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,
   and my bones waste away.

I am the scorn of all my adversaries,
   a horror to my neighbors,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
   those who see me in the street flee from me.
I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
   I have become like a broken vessel.
For I hear the whispering of many—
   terror all around!—
as they scheme together against me,
   as they plot to take my life.

But I trust in you, O Lord;
   I say, ‘You are my God.’
My times are in your hand;
  deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
   save me in your steadfast love.

I read the first segment of the Psalm and identified with it somewhat. I must use pliers to open tight lids, and both my knees have wasted away to the extent that they have been replaced. In general, those realities have made me appreciate that someone invented pliers and titanium knees. I have learned in public to pass bottled water containers to ask even strangers sitting near me to remove too-tight lids. I generally ask only people whom I observed could open their own lids. Doing that has provided opportunities for pleasant conversation.

The second segment made me sad. I thought of the people who are homeless and often in need of physical or mental health care. I just heard, once more, the reports of another school shooting where a now adult former student had returned to the school they attended to carry out some vendetta. I also grow weary of the public officials and others who foster such reactions by castigating people for being different.

The third segment is a beautiful and appropriate prayer for all people who feel the sting of societal exclusion and a call to all people to love their neighbors as they would like to be loved given the same circumstances.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the helpers who open lids for and their hearts to others. Help us all fill that void whenever it is in our capacity.  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.

Loving Self

Lent

March 24, 2023

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:6-11
To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

I read an article yesterday about the physical signs of depression. I had never realized that depression had physical symptoms. I wondered which came first the depression or the physical symptoms.  As one who has had osteoarthritis since I was 24, random physical pain is just a part of my life. I have a close relationship with capsaicin. None of us knows when we are going to be infected with Strep A which will impact the rest of our lives. Paul talks about the thorn in his flesh and there is a lot of speculation about what it was. One thing about thorns in our flesh, they serve as a constant reminder that we are all human.

Our relationship with the Spirit is a choice.  We choose to be righteous and just; we choose to love God and our neighbor as we love ourselves. Indeed, we choose to love ourselves. I think many of the problems in our world today are that people do not love themselves and thus they cannot love their neighbors. The cultural wars we are experiencing now are a very strong expression of people not being comfortable in their own selves.  Many apparently have not understood that we are all created in the image of God and that we are all good. My guess is all of us eventually experience a thorn in our flesh that at times disrupts our lives, but it does not remove us from the love of God and it may provide us with more empathy for others if we allow the Spirit to guide.

Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. (Reinhold Niebuhr) 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.

Out of Sync with God

Lent

March 23, 2023

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:6-11
To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

 I wanted to share the expanded definition of this word because I do not think I have given it enough attention. It is used throughout the Bible. 171 times in the Hebrew Bible and 117 in the New Testament. The Hebrew uses relate to our bodies and primarily that the flesh results in death.

The Greek word for flesh used in the New Testament is “sárks”.

4561 sárks properly, flesh (“carnal”), merely of human origin or empowerment.

[4561 /sárks (“flesh”) is not always evil in Scripture. Indeed, it is used positively in relation to sexual intercourse in marriage (Eph 5:31) – as well as for the sinless human body of Jesus (Jn 1:14; 1 Jn 4:2,3). Indeed, flesh (what is physical) is necessary for the body to live out the faith the Lord works in (Gal 2:20).]

4561 (sarks) is generally negative, referring to making decisions (actions) according to self – i.e. done apart from faith (independent from God’s inworking). Thus what is “of the flesh (carnal)” is by definition displeasing to the Lord – even things that seem “respectable!” In short, flesh generally relates to unaided human effort, i.e. decisions (actions) that originate from self or are empowered by self. This is carnal (“of the flesh”) and proceeds out of the untouched (unchanged) part of us – i.e. what is not transformed by God*.

The word flesh is used primarily in the New Testament to describe that which is not in sync with God or is done outside the guidance of God.  The story that comes to mind is in Luke 12:16-21, Then [Jesus] told them a parable: ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?” Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’

Prayer: Lord, as we move ever closer to Holy Week, let us examine ourselves to measure where we might not be in sync with God and work to restore that relationship. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/4561.htm

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.

Being a Light, not a Judge

Lent

March 4, 2023

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-20
‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot.

‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Our actions do speak louder than words. We can be a light to the world as we strive to follow Christ’s edicts, but we can also turn people away when we do hate-filled actions in Jesus’s name. There is a lot of that going around today. The number of people identifying as Christians in the USA has dropped markedly in recent years. A Pew Research Center study shows that as of 2020, about 64% of Americans identify as Christian. Fifty years ago, that number was 90%. Why would someone want to identify as Christian, whose prime directive is to love God and one another, when treated as outcasts?

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. –John 13:34

Jesus alone was given the assignment of Judging people regarding his rule. Holier-than-thou attitudes turn people away from God.

The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, and he has given him authority to execute judgment because he is the Son of Man. –John 5:22,27

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we mistreat the very people you have sent us to care about and for.  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.

Fasting

Lent

February 26, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Concerning Fasting

‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Concerning Treasures

‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:16-21

Food and water are necessities of life, and in some places on our earth, people do not even have food to from which to fast. Giving up food was and still can be a very meaningful part of life to give up and see how its absence impacts our lives. I attended a dinner where speakers presented information on poverty in the USA. We were all seated in a large room, and the servers began to distribute plates of food. Some got a nice plate of food with baked chicken breast, green beans, scalloped potatoes, and a slice of warm bread. Others got a bowl of watery rice. It was disconcerting, to say the least. The people at my table did not know what to do. Someone said, “We get the point; surely they will bring more plates of food, but that did not happen. Eventually, someone at my table of people started cutting their servings in half and offering one-half to those with the bowl of watery rice.  Lesson learned before any of the speakers walked to the podium to speak. Whether we give up food or time wasted on frivolous activities, changing our schedule and refocusing our resources, including time, can and should be a growth experience in serving God. For, indeed, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, and we might be surprised to find that we are missing the mark in so many ways by not intentionally using our skills and talents for the good.

Prayer:
Open my eyes that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine.  Amen.

First verse of the Hymn Open My Eyes by Clara H Scott, see at https://hymnary.org/text/open_my_eyes_that_i_may_see

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.