Tag Archives: Loving Like Jesus

Light

Discipleship

February 12, 2021

Scripture Reading:
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We have received the calling to let light shine out of darkness as we deal with all the chaos in our world today. COVID playing out amid political upheaval with record breaking bad weather is a true test for our souls. Such responsibility requires us to dwell mightily with the Lord who must refine us, purify us so that we are an open window to the light of God’s love not heavy curtains blacking out all that is of God.

First, we must do nothing for our own gain.  The gift of justice is equity for all.

Second, we must truly learn how to walk humbly with our Lord (Micah 6:8) while vigorously seeking justice and mercy for all.

Third, we must fully comprehend that our work for the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom in our world means living in peace and harmony with those who fight against us in our work for justice. It is heartbreaking to see people vote against their own best interest regarding accessible, affordable health care, living-wage jobs, or quality education for their children. They are being distracted by ideas, often myths, that hardly, if ever, positively impact them. Some of which are a danger to themselves and others.

Prayer: Lord of Light, illuminate us in our quest to share your love throughout our world. Purify us and prepare us to reflect your light in all we do. 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 Love

Discipleship

February 8, 2021

Scripture Reading:
2 Kings 2:1-1

Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I know; keep silent.’

Elijah said to him, ‘Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he answered, ‘Yes, I know; be silent.’

Then Elijah said to him, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. –2 Kings1-8

Hebrews 12:1-3 tells us as Christ-followers to run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Elisha modeled that practice as he followed his mentor. We must be cautious about who we choose to be our mentors. The world is full of want-to-be mentors, even those who claim allegiance to Jesus Christ that entice followers by pulling them into false promises that lead nowhere. We are seeing that in the cultic alliances that arise around us. I track all the way back to Jim Jones, who led 909 people to commit “revolutionary” suicide in the name of Jesus. He, too, killed himself. Most cult leaders love power more than they love the people they enchant. David Koresh, a Branch Davidian leader, inspired the Oklahoma City Federal building bomber, Timothy McVeigh. McVeigh also had ties to the Michigan Militia Group that recently threaten the life of the Michigan Governor. Some of the participants at the January 6 insurrection at our nation’s capital were related to such groups. People can be led astray to assuage someone else’s need for power.

There is only one God who is Love if any action is done in God’s name that is not loving in nature, that action is targeted at one or more idols, not offered in worship to the One God.

Prayer: Lord, help us incorporate into our very being the ways of your Love so that your Love drives any decision we make and act that we take. 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 Inclusion

Discipleship

February 5, 2021

Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 9:16-23

For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

How inclusive are we? Who do we want to join our churches? How do we alter our approach to others based on what we perceive to be their need rather than how important or impressive we are? We have a caste system in the USA that locks people into categories that lock them out of full participation in our world and carries over into our churches.

Many years ago, I knew of a church that was outstanding in offering help to others. This all-white church was contacted to help an African American family who lived near the church whose primary breadwinner was injured, and the family suddenly found themselves destitute. This church gave them food, paid the rent for a couple of months, and provided other services. The man who had been injured visited the church after his recovery. When the pastor invited anyone who would like to join or profess their faith in Jesus Christ, the man went forward. The pastor welcomed him with open arms and said I think Joe wants to thank us for all we have done for him and his family. The man did not lift his eyes. He did say softly into the microphone thank you. The pastor gave the closing prayer. The man got the message he was not welcomed as a part of the church. Feeding the hungry etc., is an essential role for all Christ-followers. It does not substitute for loving all our brothers and sisters who God created. God does not judge anyone by how well they are fulfilling the world’s expectations of them. People do.

Prayer: Lord, make us mindful when our actions turn others away from you. Teach us to love as Jesus loved. 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.

Word and Deed

Discipleship

January 30, 2021

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:21-28
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Actions speak louder than words is an adage. There is undoubtedly some truth in it. Words, too, are essential, and we undermine our words when we do not live them. John attests to us that Jesus was the Word become flesh. We need to hear his words and live them. Mark, in the above segment, did not share what Jesus taught, but the story tells us that during the sermon, Jesus healed a man with an unclean spirit. He was living his love.

The Bible talks about false prophets, even false messiahs. We live in a world filled with false prophets. Such people say whatever they think we want to hear to gain power or money. We have an epidemic in our land now where we are being told we cannot believe anything anyone says except the false prophets. Seeking truth is necessary.

Sometimes I feel like I write the same thing repeatedly in these devotions, and I do. I borrowed one of those ideas from Jesus, who repeated and applied it regularly. If the words and deeds are not wrapped in love, they are not of God. The world is complex, and sin makes it more complicated.

I read a media post this morning from a young woman who said we are the world’s most privileged people. Our poverty level is much higher than any other country. She was writing from a coffee shop where she noted everyone had laptops or phones and nice cars in the parking lot. I guess she was saying we should be thankful for what we have and enjoy it. She did not source her information, but I am sure the defined level at which one is considered to be living in poverty is higher in the USA than in many places in the world. I doubt it is higher than all areas. My first thought is that there are no borders in God’s Kingdom. As Christ-followers, we are called to help all of God’s children have enough of at least necessities. My second thought was that in a country where one out of every four children is classified as food insecure*, the young woman needs to find out if the person who served her is paid less per hour than the cost of the fancy coffee she was drinking.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when our privilege blinds us to the needs of others. Open our eyes to see the people in our world, like the man with the unclean spirit, as we share your Word with others. Amen.

*https://www.npr.org/2020/09/27/912486921/food-insecurity-in-the-u-s-by-the-numbers

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.

Self-evaluation

Epiphany

January 22, 2021

Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Paul realized that we would not know the time of Jesus’ return. While he noted that the appointed time has grown short, he indicated it did not matter because our commitment to Christ is from now on. That still applies today.  I confess the second coming is not something that concerns me. I have even jokingly said that Christ might be waiting for us to do our work in building God’s Kingdom before he returns. Of this, I am sure God is calling us to be the Body of Christ in the world today, and I think when Christ returns, he would like to rejoice in our progress fulfilling that call.

 Do we really understand what it means to be the Body of Christ? Perhaps as we start a new year, hopefully, we will reach the apex of COVID and soon be conquering it. We are experiencing a change of federal leadership, a good time to be reminded what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ. There are many ways to do that. Re-reading the four gospels and seeing how Jesus modeled his love for us might be an excellent place to start. Several years ago, I read about a meditation practice where one puts themselves in the role of people in Bible stories and envision how we would respond to Jesus. I wonder if it might be beneficial for us to put ourselves in Jesus’ role. What would we have said to the foreign women who asked Jesus to heal her daughter (Matthew 15:21–28)?  What would we tell the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-27)?  Try it. Be honest. Try to envision some of these characters in our world today. How would Jesus respond to them?

Prayer: Lord, let this winter be a time of self-evaluation to see how closely we follow your example. 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.

Do Something Good

Epiphany

January 16, 2021

Scripture Reading:
John 1:43-51
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’

None of us are called to do everything; all of us are called and skilled with the ability to do something. My mother died on January 13, 2007, and my father died on January 15, 1984. So, this is usually a time of remembrance for my siblings and me. Such dates are encoded in the very fiber of our beings. Funny, I always remember the month and the day, but I had to double-check the years. It does not seem possible that Mom has been gone 14 years. My mother probably taught me that I could not do everything, but I can do something. I find it somewhat amusing to say that because I do not know of anything, my Mom could not do if she set her mind to it. She added a bedroom to our house when she thought my older brother needed a room of his own. The one thing she did not do much is sing. She added that skill to her reparatory by marrying a man with a beautiful baritone voice.

What was it that Jesus discerned about Nathanael when Jesus saw him under the fig tree? Perhaps he perceived some unique skill that fit perfectly with the other disciples. My mother started her career as a Deaconess in the Methodist Church, serving first along the border in Texas and then moving to work in West Virginia during the Depression. She was a dedicated letter writer and card sender in her older years.  When she could no longer do that, she dedicated herself to intercessory prayer.

What is God calling each of us to do as Disciples of Christ? Are we answering that call?

Prayer: Lord, write on my heart how I can serve you more nearly and where I may fall short in training or resources guide me to others who can help me on my journey as I can help 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.

Rights and Responsibilities

Epiphany

January 14, 2021

Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
‘All things are lawful for me’, but not all things are beneficial. ‘All things are lawful for me’, but I will not be dominated by anything. ‘Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food’, and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, ‘The two shall be one flesh.’ But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

Amid a pandemic that has already killed hundreds of thousands of people, some are outraged that the government should ever suggest that we must do anything to stem the virus’s spread. These people are saying that their choice is more important than your life or mine or theirs as far as that is concerned. Wearing a mask to reduce the spread of a virus should not even be considered as being patriotic compared to our ancestors’ actions who fought for freedoms we so carelessly apply.

I really do not know where to take these thoughts. We demand our rights to not wear a mask and worship in large groups. Both are top sources of virus spread in our country. Recklessly, needlessly causing thousands of people’s deaths every day to protect one’s personal rights borders on genocide.

Paul states it well, ‘All things are lawful for me’, but not all things are beneficial.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we let our privileges take the place of your values. 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.

Refresh our Faith

Epiphany

January 8, 2021

Scripture Reading: Acts 19:1-7
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ They replied, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ Then he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ They answered, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— altogether there were about twelve of them.

Who taught Paul about Jesus? How much of what Paul first picked up about Jesus was the hearsay around the temple when Saul/Paul as a youth studied under Gamliel. Saul/Paul was a Pharisee and probably received their viewpoint about Jesus. But where did he learn details like how John baptized? Did Ananias* share stories of Jesus’ ministry with Saul/Paul as he recovered from his experience on the road to Damascus?

How much of what we know about God is colored by the source of information we receive? Because of divisions among faith-based groups in our world today, I have felt the need to review my theology. N. T. Wright’s work on Worldviews has been most helpful to me. Studying the Gospels to ascertain how those closest to Jesus described his teachings and his actions caused me to reassess my way of being. During the past two years, I have invested time and energy in anti-racism work and discovered how important it is to attempt to see the world from the eyes of people whose life experiences have been totally different from mine.

As we turn the page on 2020 and move forward into 2021, I invite all to join me in searching for the source of our faith knowledge and discerning if what we take for granted in our belief systems stands the test of God’s love for all.

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.

Refrain 1:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!** Amen

*The Christ-follower who took Saul in after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus.

**First verse and refrain of Open My Eyes, That I May See by Clara H. Scott. See at https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/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.

Obedience of Faith

Advent

December 17, 2020

Scripture Reading: Romans 16:25-27
Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

Obedience as used above literally means submission to what is heard*. As Paul uses it here, faith obedience indicates fidelity in following the only wise God through Jesus Christ. Indeed, John identifies Jesus Christ as the Word. His deeds and actions speak to us the way God wants us to be. Idol worship transfers faith to other gods and following their words. While we may not have hosts of people bowing down to graven images, we do have individuals and groups putting their words in God’s mouth and calling it of God. How do we discern the difference?

The answer is as old as time. Does what I am hearing speak to loving God and loving one another? If it does not, it is not of God. The Bible contains lots of examples of loving God and loving one another—the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ parables, particularly Matthew 25. In so many instances, the voices of the idols are speaking the opposite of these scriptures. Greed is good for the agents of evil. Privilege is, too. Feeling that, because of who we are, we deserve better things than others.

When we seek to see through the eyes of God as we listen to God’s Word, we are drawn to see the world in its stark reality as it compares to the world and all its people as God envisioned it at creation.  With God’s guidance and help, our job is to bring our current world into sync with that vision through loving one another. Looking through the eyes of evil only lets us see the enticement directly before us.

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!

Prayer: Lord, help us to love one another as you love us as we seek to work together as the Body of Christ in the world today. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/5218.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.

Seeking Restoration

Advent

November 27, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Restore us, O God;
   let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts,
   how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
   and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
   our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts;
   let your face shine, that we may be saved.

But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
   the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you;
   give us life, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
   let your face shine, that we may be saved. —Psalm 80:3-7, 17-19

When I read through this scripture. I was refreshed. We have had a bad year. Racial injustice boiled over. A contentious and divisive political campaign was overshadowed by the worst pandemic we have faced in our lifetimes. Truth gave way to conspiracy; safety gave way to self-righteousness. Our souls do need to be healed. Our oneness and justice need to be reestablished.

Before we pray for restoration, we need to identify what we desire to regenerate. How much of our tribulation was brought on by our own acts of omission or commission? Will we go back to ignoring the plight of the poor and oppressed in our land/our world? Do we want to go back to avoiding our responsibilities as citizens in a country designed to be run by the people? Is striving for wealth and power more important than loving one another?

The out of control roaring twenties led to the Great Depression. The tax cuts of 1982 brought on recession. Oklahoma’s failure to participate in Medicaid Expansion for ten years resulted in the loss of hospitals in rural areas, reducing accessible, affordable health care. We are like the Israelites described in the book of Amos before being taken into exile.

We must reassess who we are and who we want to be. We do not need to be restored to the high times before the flood. We need to be restored to being created in God’s image and build a world community that recognizes that image in all people as the driving force in our way of being.

Prayer: Help us, O Lord, to discern what we must be in your acts of restoration. 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.