Tag Archives: Loving Like Jesus

What Grieves the Holy Spirit

Living in the Spirit

August 5, 2021

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:25-5:2

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

The heading supplied by the editors in the Bible I use described these verses as Rules for the New Life. Paul is giving instructions to new Christ-followers who live in a culture of idol worship and all kinds of mixed messages about the best way to live. We probably need to read this list from that perspective and that time in history. It is interesting, however, that it mirrors the human condition throughout time, including today. For example, I find it interesting that we celebrated the poliovirus but think our freedom is being taken from us if we take the COVID vaccine or wear a mask to curb its spread.

Here is a shorthand list of the Rules for the New Life Paul sent to the Ephesians, all good advice for today.

Be angry but do not let the sun go down on our anger
Do not steal
Labor and work so we will  have something to share with the needy
Let no evil talk come out of our mouths
Let our words give grace to those who hear
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit
Put away bitterness, wrath, anger, wrangling, slander, and all malice
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving
Be imitators of God—live in love

What would we need to add to this list for our time? I also wonder what grieves the Holy Spirit.  All the things listed are no doubt nuisances to the Holy Spirit. So what are we doing that breaks God’s heart?

Prayer: Lord, heal our souls so that we do not waste our time on foolish things as we strive to be imitators of God living in 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.

Conduits of God’s Love

Living in the Spirit

August 4, 2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 34
Praise for Deliverance from Trouble

[Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.]

I will bless the Lord at all times;
   his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
   let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me,
   and let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
   and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant;
   so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,
   and was saved from every trouble.
The angel of the Lord encamps
   Around those who fear him, and delivers them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good;
   happy are those who take refuge in him.

David is one of the most human people in the Bible. Crafty at evading his enemies, at times, he was blind to avoiding personal sin. Yet, in all ways, David maintained a close relationship with God. He willingly gave God glory in his successes and repented asking for forgiveness in his moments of moral weakness. Psalm 34 is an excellent example of the close relationship he maintained with God. How well do we nurture our relationship with God? Is God a part of all our lives? Do we only seek God when we think we need God’s help? Are we willing servants when God desires our help?

God loves us and empowers us with the ability to love one another. Our world stands in great need of being flooded by God’s love, and we are designate conduits called to fulfill that obligation. Let it be so.

Prayer: God of Grace and Mercy, open the flood gates of the love you provide through us so that our world may be healed from all the evil that harms 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Discouraged

Living in the Spirit

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV.

August 3, 2021

Scripture Reading:
1 Kings 19:4-8

But [Elijah] himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, ‘Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.’ He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food for forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

I am deeply concerned about many issues facing our nation. The pandemic has to be at the top of the list. I had just started to not wear a mask in places where I know everyone has received the vaccine. Now I understand that even if I do not get sick I can carry the disease to others. I walked up to a store today and saw a sign asking customers to wear masks, returning to my car to get one, I wondered how much longer is this going to continue?

Also, I recognize that assuring all who work earn a living wage would solve many issues in our society. I have been working with others to reach for that reality by raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. In all honesty that is only a beginning step toward addressing the poverty that is ravaging our nation, but it is an important step. What we who are trying to champion this goal are finding is that many do not care. One of my US Senators locked the elevator to his office and the door at the top of the stairs leaving a sign that said they were not seeing visitors. I thought he was supposed to represent us.

My discouragement is not as serious as Elijah’s was, but I have experienced a hint of what he felt. I thank God for the angels with whom I work who lift my spirits when I get down. I also think it is even more important in times like these that we deepen our prayer relationship with the Lord for indeed his yoke is easy and his burden is light* when we are aligned with his vision of a world ruled by love.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the strength to champion your desires for all your people. Keep us on the right path in all we do. Amen.

*Matthew 11:30

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.

Hyperbole

Living in the Spirit

August 1, 2021

Scripture Reading:
John 6:24-35
So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’

Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’

To get his point across, Jesus often spoke in hyperbole*. How else can we help each other understand something beyond our ability to perceive fully—something by faith we accept as true. We describe God as being all-powerful, all-knowing, and always present because we understand the meaning of these words when fully describing aspects of God around which we can wrap our heads. Jesus talks about the higher plain of spiritual hunger and thirst by using some things we all experience routinely. Can any of us envision a day when we are not hungry for food, thirsty for water? Yet, Jesus assures us that our spiritual needs are met when we are in a relationship with God. Such a relationship forms the foundation for our dealing with all the challenges of life, enabling us to love like Jesus and work as partners in Christ’s service.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for helping us understand your more fully to serve your more nearly. Amen.

* Hyperbole: extravagant exaggeration that represents something as much greater or less, better or worse, or more intense than it really is or that depicts the impossible as actual. https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/hyperbole

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.

Simply Love

Living in the Spirit

July 31, 2021

Scripture Reading: John 6:24-35
So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’

Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

We are very much like our ancestors in faith. We want to know what is in it for us.  We, too, long for absolutes in a world constantly changing. Viruses mutate to catch us off guard. We get frustrated with scientists trying to keep a step ahead of the virus, changing their recommendations to at least match but preferably to win the race against the virus. We thus become our own worst enemies refusing to do the most straightforward actions that might save our lives and the lives of those around us.

In the story above, Jesus recognizes that human nature is not hearing what he is teaching. Jesus did not come to help us get rich quickly or overindulge. He came to bring us life and bring it more abundantly*. His abundance is not related to material wealth. He is trying to help us understand that abundant life is a life where our love of God, ourselves, and all others brought together in oneness results in the best outcomes for everyone in all aspects of life.  It perhaps is too easy. Thus, it becomes too hard when we must give up the ways of the world to attain shalom and justice for all.

Prayer: Lord, open our hearts and minds to accept the simplicity of living in our love of you, ourselves, and one another. Amen.

*John 10:10

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.

When Good People Do Nothing

Living in the Spirit

July 29, 2021

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:1-16

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

In my lifetime, the correspondence from prison that left the most significant impression on me was Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from the Birmingham Jail. I wonder when he thought to compose it if he had just read Paul’s letter from the jail in Ephesus. While nearly 2000 years separate the two letters, the call for oneness fed by humility and love still flows through our world. We Christ-followers have a special calling to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, while working continuously toward justice for all. I learned in a recent Bible study that the prisons in Paul’s time did not provide food. Prisoners were one relative or friend away from sickness, even starvation if their sentences were long. Paul thanked those who cared for him while he was in prison (Philippians. 1:3-11). Had they not taken care of him, we, today, most likely would not have been blessed with his writings.

“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.” ― Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail

While we might not be willing to go to jail for our faith, we can do much to further the cause of justice in this world. Writing our elected officials and firmly stating our support of just legislation is one way. Helping people legally eligible to vote who cannot because of barriers to their access is another. Let us not be among the appalling silence of the good people.

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes that we might see where our silence is hurting others. Empower us to do justice. 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.

Taking God For Granted

Living in the Spirit

July 28, 2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 51:1-12 or
Psalm 78:23-29

Yet he commanded the skies above,
   and opened the doors of heaven;
he rained down on them manna to eat,
   and gave them the grain of heaven.
Mortals ate of the bread of angels;
   he sent them food in abundance.
He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
   and by his power he led out the south wind;
he rained flesh upon them like dust,
   winged birds like the sand of the seas;
he let them fall within their camp,
   all around their dwellings.
And they ate and were well filled,
   for he gave them what they craved. –Psalm 78:23-29

Psalm 51 is one of my favorites, and I have included the essential part for me as the prayer below. Although I have read all the Psalms many times and participated in Psalms studies, I could not recall anything about Psalm 78, which made me decide I needed to focus on it today. How much of God’s grace and abundance do we take for granted? How much do we question whether we can depend on God’s love? How does taking God’s love as a given impact our relationships with others who do not seem to share in the bounty of God’s love?

Jesus taught us that we can take God’s love and grace for granted. My experience is that life becomes chaotic when we do not. Scared, tired, hungry, and unaccustomed to managing their own lives, the Israelites craved the basics—food and water—which God provided. These were the first baby steps of transitioning from slavery to becoming a great nation. The presence of God’s love was just as significant to King David as to those escaping slaves. Problems arise when we fall into the trap of forgetting that continuing our allegiance to God is as crucial in our prosperity as in slavery. We drift toward thinking that our abundance is our own making and that if others are not reaping the same harvest, it must be their fault.

We should never take God’s love or anyone’s love for granted just because we can. Always knowing God loves us gives us the courage to love ourselves and others as we strive to be a part of creating a world ruled by love.

Prayer:
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
   and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
   and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
   and sustain in me a willing spirit*. Amen.

*Psalm 51:10-12

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.

Leaving the Familiar for a Strange New World

Living in the Spirit

July 27, 2021

Scripture Reading: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15

The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’

Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.

Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, “Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.” ’ And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.”’ –Exodus 16:2-4, 9-12

Once I worked with people receiving public assistance, helping them transition from dependence to being self-sustaining. One of the most significant challenges I faced was helping them deal with leaving the desperate situation in which they live for the scary new world of work and self-support. Many people denigrate the poor for their condition. How would you feel if you were without income or support systems like a family that will come to your rescue? Would you have the knowledge or strength to do what it takes to ensure your children have food to eat and clothing to wear? Can you imagine living in a family where no one ever worked?

The Israelites had been slaves for some 400 years, generations of a way of being that robbed them of all sense of self-sufficiency where they were dependent on their slave masters. Freedom was a scary proposition. It took forty years of wandering in the wilderness before these people were ready to follow Joshua into the Promise Land, at least two generations. As we attempt to address the wellbeing of the homeless and the poor, we must exercise some empathy before we, like Moses and Aaron, walk with them out of the wilderness, in which they find themselves.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the gift of empathy as we walk with those moving to self-sufficiency. 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.

Living Savior

Living in the Spirit

July 25, 2021

Scripture Reading: John 6:1-21

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.

Something unusual happened on a body of water at night in a storm, involving Jesus’s walking on water. It is recorded in three of the gospels*. Another story is reported that Jesus was asleep in a boat, a storm arose, and he quieted the water. The disciples express fear of the weather in these stories, causing Jesus to question their faith as he calms the storms. What are we to make of this? Why were the stories significant enough to appear so often?

The past eighteen months have felt like an out-of-control storm or two with a pandemic and a messy election hitting at the same time. We have all longed for a superpower to calm the waters, right our life’s ships, and provide smooth sailing during these challenges. Jesus had presented a fresh and compelling way of being among his followers. However, it was not accepted by the powers-that-be. Therefore, following Jesus was dangerous at times. Doing the right thing, doing justice right is always tricky when the principalities and powers are threatened. Paul describes it this way in Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

We must remember this:

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He’s always near
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your presence and guidance as we attempt to sail the seas of life. Amen.

*Also see Mark 6:45-56; Matthew 8:23–27; Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22–25

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.

Feeding the 5,000

Living in the Spirit

July 24, 2021

Scripture Reading: John 6:1-21

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.  A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’

When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

I have heard many sermons trying to explain this event and read commentaries doing the same.  I guess I am just too practical. I am sure these words have deep theological meanings, but when I read it, it says that when people are hungry, feed them. Even as the richest nation, we are doing a terrible job feeding the hungry.

How many people are hungry in the world? Globally, about 8.9% of the world’s population — 690 million people — go to bed on an empty stomach each night. Since 2014, the number of people affected by hunger has been slowly on the rise. If it continues at this rate, it’ll exceed 840 million by 2030*.

The USA provides the SNAP (food stamp) program, but I often hear people denigrate those who receive this help as lazy. They just need to get a job. The fact is that 75% of families receiving SNAP have one family member that works, and one-third of that 75% have more than one family member that works. Sixteen percent are over age 65. At least some are permanently and totally disabled. Non-disabled adults who are not working must seek work and take jobs offered to qualify for SNAP.

I know people are sick of hearing this, but hunger is a systemic problem related to low wages and the distribution of wealth that is far outside acceptable norms.  Indeed, the poor will always be with us, as will the rich, but having low wealth should not equate to suffering from hunger.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for taking the distribution of wealth in our world for granted. Help us develop a system where everyone at least has enough of the necessities of life. Amen.

*https://www.worldvision.org/hunger-news-stories/world-hunger-facts

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.