Maundy Thursday “Love in Action”

Daily Scriptures: https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=34

John 13:1-17, 31b-35
13:1 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

13:2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper

13:3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God,

13:4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself.

13:5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

13:6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

13:7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

13:8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.”

13:9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

13:10 Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”

13:11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

13:12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?

13:13 You call me Teacher and Lord–and you are right, for that is what I am.

13:14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

13:15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

13:16 Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.

13:17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

13:31b When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.

13:32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.

13:33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

13:34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Love In Action

What do you like most about your feet? If you are like many people, the least favorite part of their body is their feet. In some ways, it stands to reason. (no pun intended). We walk on them all day every day. We often enclose them in shoes, and generally, unless they are causing a problem, we neglect them. This modern perception is also an ancient one. We find even in this Biblical text a sense of how body perception can drive behavior. Maundy Thursday and the history of foot washing established by Jesus tells us a lot about our roles as followers of Jesus. We never stand so high as when we stoop so low as to wash anothers’ feet.

In our text we find Jesus, sensing the magnitude of the life he has been called to live. It’s a couple days after his “flash mob” parade into Jerusalem, and a day or so before his public execution. A lot is weighing heavy in his spirit. One thing we see about Jesus is although his life is in the balance, he never stops teaching. Jesus is the ultimate example of how to live until you die. Instead of running and hiding, or over-indulging in creature comforts, Jesus in our text is found on his knees, washing the feet of his disciples. That almost doesn’t sound right. The Master, the Lion of Judah, the Prince of Peace, the Son of GOD, on his knees, washing the feet of a group of followers whose faith wobbled, and actions were erratic to say the least. Not only that but Jesus washes the feet of the very man who will betray him in less than a day, and of another who will deny even knowing him. I don’t know about you, but that blows my mind. I can think of the times I have to challenge myself not to think of myself as other. When I say that I mean there are times it takes work to find the connection between myself and the people who are least like me. I can assure you, kneeling and washing the feet of someone I couldn’t trust would be the last thing on my mind. And that is why I love Jesus so. Jesus is showing me that no matter how high I fly I am never better than anybody. Jesus is showing me that if I have been blessed abundantly it is to share and not to show off. Jesus by kneeling helps me to stand up to the worst parts of myself and become a better person.

Now Jesus stooping to bless did not thrill everybody. In fact, Simon Peter said, “You shall never wash my feet”. I like Peter. Stil,l Jesus’ response to Peter gives us our marching orders. Jesus says, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” Wow! Jesus does not take the easy way out. I might have said, shoot I didn’t want to wash your stinky feet anyway. You’ve been walking through the unpaved roads of the country side, stepping on GOD knows what, with open toed sandals and no socks, Yeah Pete you can have your stink feet. But Jesus, responds in a way that reminds every believer, you are never too good to serve. Secondly, our service is not based on the merit of the people we are serving. Peter was on the verge of denying Jesus and yet Jesus washes his feet. Love is an action word. Love is a verb.

Today on Maundy Thursday I encourage you to bless somebody. Humble yourself and serve.

Point to Ponder: How can YOU serve? Are there any jobs that you feel are beneath you? Would you wash the feet of someone that might betray you?

Holy Week Monday “Hope Over Hype”

 

Matthew 21:18-22

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree

¹⁸ Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. ¹⁹ Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

²⁰ When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

²¹ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. ²² If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Building upon 40 Days of Devotion we begin Holy Week. After 40 days of sacrifice, and repentance we are now faced with the prospect of an even more difficult task. Some might say we come out of the frying pan and jump right into the skillet. Yesterday we had a moment to exhale, to celebrate. Palm Sunday reminded us that every now and then people get it right. Jesus enters humbly into Jerusalem but he is welcomed like the King he is. The people greet him with shouts of save us and blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. For just a moment it seems like things are going to get better. Still Jesus did not get caught up in the hype. Instead of relying on the emotions of the people to dictate his future actions, Jesus continue his pursuit to the cross. Jesus chooses the Hope of eternity over the hype of humanity.

Our text begins the next morning. After the hoopla of yesterday Jesus is on his way back to the city and sees a fig tree. Upon seeing the tree there is the expectation there would be figs on the tree. Jesus is hungry and is anticipating a breakfast of figs and fellowship. What he finds is an empty tree. Looks good but producing nothing. How often are we like this fig tree. We look good on the outside, we have our bibles, and we have memorized some key verses. We know “church talk” and can be seen in some of the “right” places. But upon closer inspection, we are full of sound and fury signifying nothing. There is no substance to us. Far too often we focus on our shell and neglect our soul. Jesus expects fruit and finds fakery. He then utters what I sense to be a scary utterance. Jesus says “may you never bear fruit again”. Wow and owww. The first law GOD gave creation was be fruitful and multiple. For Jesus to say be no more fruitful is to take away its purpose. Immediately the tree withers. Life without purpose is death. When I read this I can imagine what it would be like if all hope were gone. Even further when I read this I sense Jesus challenging us on being true to fulfilling our purpose. We are called to do more than look good and talk the talk. When we are fig trees in a world that is hungry, we are intended to bear fruit. Not just leaves, but fruit.

Jesus challenges us on bearing fruit and also uses this experience as a teaching moment for the disciples. Jesus replied to the disciples amazement by saying, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” When we pray we are exposed to an unlimited supply of power. Jesus helps us to unlock a treasure of incalculable value. Faith without doubt. The power is not in the praise of people but in the presence of GOD.

Today I am encouraged to be intentional about bearing fruit. The hype of should should not dictate the life we live. Beyond the hype, the work for the kingdom must still be done. Do not grow weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap a harvest i we faint not. #livebig

POint to Ponder: How will You choose hope over hype? Who have you hyped up only to find they disappointed you? Would you rather be loved for people pleasing  or respected for telling it like it is?

Lent 2020 Day 33 “Is There Any Hope?”

Daily Scripture: https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=28

Ezekiel 37:1-14
37:1 The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 37:2 He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. 37:3 He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.” 37:4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 37:5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 37:6 I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the LORD.” 37:7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 37:8 I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. 37:9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon this slain, that they may live.” 37:10 I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. 37:11 Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ 37:12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 37:13 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people.
37:14 I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act,” says the LORD.

Is There Any Hope

Have YOU ever been in a place of YOUR life where everything around you seemed dry and desolate? Have you ever downsized your dreams until they fit neatly into your back pocket as a mere memory? A dream that once gave you a sense of life and hope and purpose is now like a dusty, crusty, exfoliated skin cell. You are essentially walking in the graveyard of your hopes and destiny. While in this dry desolate place, you suddenly wonder, Is there any hope?

Our text in Ezekiel is set in a valley of dry bones. The prophet Ezekiel is led into this valley and it is there that he hears a word from the LORD. This word is “Can these bones live?” In other words is there any hope. The Israelites have been exiled and have been brought so low that their dreams and aspirations are decaying matter. It is a very odd question to ask because it seems rhetorical, Can these bones live? Bones are a representation that life has been lived not that life will be lived. And Yet the prophet answers, Oh LORD GOD YOU know. What follows as GODS response is for the Israelites and we can draw some hope from it as well. The LORD responds by giving instructions that ultimately lead to a resuscitation of the dormant life forms. The LORD says Yes there is hope for Israel. Its been a long time coming and yes there are dry bones but they will be reanimated. The dream will be rekindled and the land will be restored. Today I draw hope from this text as the pandemic of Covid19 ravishes the world and many deaths are occurring. There is the question, is there any hope? I say yes,

As we draw close to the end of the Lenten season we living in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic. As believers, we recognize this virus is no respecter of persons and the sheer magnitude of anticipated deaths can be overwhelming. Bw honest with your feelings, commit to remaining hopeful, and LIVE BIG here in the present moment.

Points to Ponder:  What dreams have become dry bones in your life? What have you given up hope of ever seeing? Who can you observe in your life that needs a little more hope? Will you purpose to give it to them?

Lent 2020 Day 22 “Worthless Idols”

Daily Scriptures: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2081;%20Jeremiah%202:4-13;%20John%207:14-31,%2037-39

Jeremiah 2:4-13

⁴ Hear the word of the Lord, you descendants of Jacob, all you clans of Israel.

⁵ This is what the Lord says: “What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves. ⁶ They did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord, who brought us up out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness, through a land of deserts and ravines, a land of drought and utter darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives?’ ⁷ I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable. ⁸ The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols. ⁹ “Therefore I bring charges against you again,” declares the Lord. “And I will bring charges against your children’s children. ¹⁰ Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar[a] and observe closely; see if there has ever been anything like this: ¹¹ Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols. ¹² Be appalled at this, you heavens, and shudder with great horror,” declares the Lord. ¹³ “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Worthless Idols

There’s nothing like adversity to help us put things into perspective. Money rolls, cars, and clothes are signs of success and status in our world. Many of us work tirelessly to acquire money and the materials it can purchase. When we finally make the big purchase we have a tendency to be protective of it. I have seen fights break out over somebody accidentally stepping on someone’s new gym shoes. We cherish our things and at times we forget to remember who gave us the strength to work and the ability to get the job done. Our possessions begin to possess us. In short, we become worthless protectors of worthless idols. This will go on forever if we don’t pause and pay attention to YHWH. Adversity can help us to pause.

The Word of the LORD comes through Jeremiah for the people of Israel and we can draw meaning from it for us today. YHWH instructs Jeremiah to ask the people what faults did your ancestors find in me that they strayed so far from me? As they strayed they forfeited their value because they forgot to remember who was the ultimate provider. For us today, the question is do YOU have stuff or does stuff have YOU? What is really most important in YOUR life. Often times abundance can be just as distracting as adversity. We can become so smug in who we are and what we have that we forget to remember our CREATOR. The prophet Jeremiah says they exchanged their glorious GOD for worthless idols.

Let us be clear that not all idols are made of materials. Some of us may have made an idol of our health and others idolize their skillsets. An idol is anything that can distract us from the DIVINE. YWHW is ever-present yet we must be careful to keep our lives in a proper perspective. Scripture teaches seek first the Kingdom and all other things will be added. Lent gives us an opportunity to regulate ourselves and reclaim our joy. Lent is like a massage for the soul. We work out tensions, address problem areas, and prayerfully exit our forty days stronger and more faithful. Let’s do this.

Point to Ponder: What idols have YOU had to deal with. Is there anything between YOUR soul and YOUR savior? In what ways have YOU forsaken GOD and how will you respond?

Lent 2020 Day 20 “Wide Open”

Daily Scriptures: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2081;%20Genesis%2024:1-27;%202%20John%201:1-13

Psalm 81:7 In your distress you called and I rescued you,
    I answered you out of a thundercloud;
    I tested you at the waters of Meribah.^[c]
8 Hear me, my people, and I will warn you—
    if you would only listen to me, Israel!
⁹ You shall have no foreign god among you;
    you shall not worship any god other than me.
¹⁰ I am the Lord your God,
    who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

¹¹ “But my people would not listen to me;
    Israel would not submit to me.
¹² So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
    to follow their own devices.

¹³ “If my people would only listen to me,
if Israel would only follow my ways,
¹⁴ how quickly I would subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes!

 

Wide Open

“You don’t hear me”. “You are not listening”. “I never said that.” “If YOU opened YOUR ears as wide as YOUR mouth YOU might learn something”. These or similar words have been uttered time and time again by people frustrated by how what they are saying is being ignored. The art of communication requires two active parties both engaged in the process. How frustrating it is when YOU are saying one thing and the person you are speaking to hears another. Think of a situation where YOU were not fully present as a listener. Think about how YOUR mind may have drifted or how YOU fixated on one thing and didn’t hear anything else. As these thoughts enter YOUR mind recognize how closed off YOU were to possibilities because YOUR mind was already made up. Instead of being open, YOU were tight as a drum.

The Israelite community is being referenced in the text from Psalm 81 as a hard-headed stubborn hearted people.  YHWH has heard their cry and responded with deliverance. When they had cried out in despair YHWH heard them. Now its time for them to listen and suddenly they act like they can’t hear. The Psalmist says, ⁸ Hear me, my people, and I will warn you— if you would only listen to me, Israel! 

If only they would listen they would learn how to sustain the blessings they had received. If only they would listen they would know to open their mouth and let YHWH fill it. This is key. A mouth has to be open to speak but it also has to be open to eat. Metaphorically an open life is able to experience abundance when it is silent enough to chew. We learned as children not to talk with food in our mouths. The people of Israel had a habit of speaking out of turn.

Halfway through Lent 2020, we have a chance to listen or to talk. Communication with YHWH is best when we don’t do all the talking. If we will but listen and follow the path YHWH has for us, we may find out that YHWH  has already worked it out. Whatever YOUR situation, actively listening to YHWH is a step in the right direction.

Point to Ponder: Have YOU talked to YHWH today? Did YOU listen or do all the talking? Who have YOU been too quick to speak and slow to listen with? Go and remember We have two eyes and ears and one mouth. We are best when we look and listen twice as much as we talk.

Lent 2020 Day 14 “Blessings”

Daily Scriptures: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20128;%20Isaiah%2065:17-25;%20Romans%204:6-13&version=NIV

 

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

¹ Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
    who walk in obedience to him.
² You will eat the fruit of your labor;
    blessings and prosperity will be yours.
³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
⁴ Yes, this will be the blessing
    for the man who fears the Lord.

⁵ May the Lord bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
⁶ May you live to see your children’s children—
peace be on Israel.

Blessings

If YOU do right, right will follow YOU. If YOU do wrong, wrong will overtake YOU. These words were spoken to me by one of my senior members during an early pastorate and they have stuck with me. Often times while seeking to live right we encounter challenges and setbacks. During these times it helps to remember that our lives are in response to a GOD that loves us and is fully capable of providing double for all our trouble.

The Psalmist shares a reminder for all who may listen. YOU may be working hard in efforts to make it all come together in this life. YOUR preparations may be impeccable and YOUR drive is undeniable.  Still, after all that YOU have done, it is not quite coming together like YOU think it should. The Psalmist reminds us that the blessing is not just a result of our efforts but a response from our heart. Blessed is the person who fears or reverences the LORD. In other words, they have their order of operations right. The put the will of YHWH over their will and then allow THY will to be done. When we are intentional about being led by YHWH we open the door to all YHWH has for us. And that is a lot. The Psalmist says We will eat the fruit of our labors and blessings and prosperity will be ours. As we broaden our understanding of prosperity we can cherish the blessings of presence more than presents. As our Lenten journey continues my prayer for YOU is that

The Lord bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
⁶ May you live to see your children’s children—
peace be on Israel.

 

Points to Ponder: In what ways do YOU reverence GOD daily? How have YOU experienced the blessings of GOD? How can YOU be a blessing for someone else?

 

Lent 2020 Day 6 “A Friend Through Thick and Thin”

Daily Scripture Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2032;%201%20Kings%2019:1-8;%20Hebrews%202:10-18

 

^{Hebrews 2:14-18} Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. ¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like them,^[k] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Friendship is essential to the soul. Each day as we journey through Lent we will be confronted by many opportunities to become distracted and despondent. Just because we have made a commitment to draw closer to the creator and more intentionally release control of our lives, does not mean our adversary the devil, leaves us alone. In fact, it is when we are focusing on being stronger that the enemy will appear to fight harder to show us how weak we really are.

Our text today from Hebrews 2:11-18 encourages us by letting us know we are not alone. If you have ever been the driver on a long drive you probably can appreciate the value of having company. Even if the company falls asleep it is often comforting just knowing you are not alone. Now if you are like me, when your company falls asleep there is this moment when you think, “Man I’m the one doing the work and you can’t stay awake”. This mixture of appreciation and consternation is similar to what The Christ must have felt from time to time. We see in scripture how the followers of The Christ would be faithful one day and flaky the next. When we look at the life of the Christ we may wonder why he would even endure all that he did and how he got through it. It is here that we draw our strength.

Our passage highlights that The Christ was made human in every way so that he could make atonement for us. We have a friend in the Christ who is an example for us because he became one of us. The Christ goes through disappointment, hunger, tiredness, even distress so that when we go through these things we know we are not alone. The Master endured all these trials and tribulations and remained faithful so that we would know that it can be done. When we are tempted and tried on every side, we have a Savior who can say “been there done that, don’t quit”. We have a Savior who knows all about what it means to be forsaken and kicked when we are down. We also have a Savior who knows what it is to have a Divine Daddy that cares for us and equips us to handle the toughest of times. By looking at the life of the Christ we know we have a friend, and that friendship is essential for our soul. One line of a song that comes to mind right now is “He stooped to bless.” The Master came low so that we could rise high.

As you go through today and face temptations of many kinds, be reminded that Jesus knows all about your troubles, and He will guide till the day is done. Whatever the challenge, The Christ is there because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. And lest we forget, where there is no desire there is no temptation. If Jesus was tempted it also means that there were options that he had, but chose not to pursue all because he loves  You.

Lent 2020 Day 5 ” Keeping it 100″

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=24

PSALM 32 

¹ Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven,  whose sins are covered.
² Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

³ When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
⁴ For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped
    as in the heat of summer.^[b]

⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.

⁶ Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.
⁷ You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.

⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
⁹ Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
¹⁰ Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts in him.

¹¹ Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Authenticity

Authenticity

“Son, Never let them see you sweat”. These words echo within me whenever I am in a challenging situation. My mom’s intent of sharing this witticism with me left the impression that sweating is showing weakness and weakness would mean being vulnerable. Instead, keep your head up and shoulders square at all times. This philosophy may work on the job but when it comes to our spiritual walk with YHWH we cannot pretend to be cool, calm, and collected. When we enter the presence of the DIVINE we must enter as we are and not as we hope to be. In order to fully experience the full impact of LOVE we must be authentic.

The Psalm attributed to David pronounces a blessing on the one who has been forgiven of sin and in whose spirit there is no deceit. As hard as it is to admit sometimes, we have sinned. These sins have not all be an overt offense or blatant disregard for GOD yet they all have impacted our relationship with GOD. The writer speaks of trying to live life holding it in, never being caught sweating even with GOD and it has had a negative effect on him. The writer says I was wasting away on the inside. I looked strong but I was really weak. How true is this for YOU? Have you been tossing and turning, missing sleep, living on edge? Could it be that this Lent season is right on time for you and I to come clean with GOD? When I say come clean I mean be authentic. Be real. Be transparent. It is in this authenticity we gain the confidence that GOD welcomes us as we are thus enabling us to be who we can be.

This Lent, let us choose to be who we are. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Love of GOD surrounds all who trust GOD. How will you trust today?

Point to Ponder: Are YOU living with any regrets? If the worst thing YOU have ever done has been forgiven by YHWH, why are YOU still holding on to it? Create a safe space for others to be authentic by actively listening without judgement.

Lent 2019 Day 39 “Broken”

 

 

Sat Apr 13

Psalm 42, 43, 137, 144

Jeremiah 31:27-34

Romans 11:25-36

John 11:28-44

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2042%2C%20Psalm%2043%2C%20Psalm%20137%2C%20Psalm%20144%2C%20Jeremiah%2031%3A27-34%2C%20Romans%2011%3A25-36%2C%20John%2011%3A28-44%C2%A0&version=NIV

^{Psalm 42:1} As the deer pants for streams of water,
    so my soul pants for you, my God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?

^{Psam 137:1} By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept
    when we remembered Zion.
² There on the poplars
    we hung our harps,
³ for there our captors asked us for songs,
    our tormentors demanded songs of joy;
    they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

Where have we hung our harps? Trials and tribulations can take their collective toll on a people and soon they begin to forget who and whose they are. After enough pain it can appear that prayer is simply wishful thinking wrapped in an illusion of possibility somewhat like Santa Clause. When this begins to happen we may tend to forget or over-remember. When I say over-remember I am saying we can often glorify the past in such a way that it is altered. Today as we near the end of our 40 days of Lenten meditations, I challenge us to reclaim our songs of joy no matter what our situation.

Through these 40 days we have explored different facets of ourselves and of our GOD. We recognize the high level of commitment to consistency in service that GOD desires. We have challenged ourselves to be stronger and more resilient in the face of internal and external pressures. Today knowing that soon we will be eating whatever we want and freeing up some more time listen to your heart. Where is there a song of joy in your heart? A song that situations can’t take from you. A song that adds meaning to your misery. The senior saints of my childhood would sing, this joy that I have the world didn’t give it to me and the world can’t take it away.

The Psalmist shares the predicament the Israelite community faced. Being in exile and often on the run they hung up their harps. The left their music makers behind. In other words they cried and gave in to the full expression of their depression. It can happen to the best of us. We get to thinking and forget to remember the powerful presence of our loving Divine Daddy. We can get into the woe is me and I can’t sing because there’s nothing to sing about. If you are here let me suggest you sing on credit. Sing not because of your situation but in spite of it. Sing because you know trouble don’t last always. Sing because over your head you hear the songs of the birds who sing even when they are caged. Sing because you know there is a GOD somewhere. Sing on credit, for in due season you will reap a harvest if you faint not.

PRAYER: LORD return to us the joy of our salvation we have so carelessly lost. In the midst of our pain erase our shame, and help us find our way back to you. Fix us where we are broken and heal us where we are hurting. continue to change our mourning into dancing we pray, AMEN

Point to Ponder: Write a song of defiant praise that you will sing in your most trying time. Encourage someone without judging them for needing encouragement.

 

 

Lent 2019 Day 36 “Human Being or Human Doing?”

Wed Apr 10

Psalm 119:145-176 Psalm 128-130

Jeremiah 25:30-38

Romans 10:14-21

John 10:1-18

^{Psalm 130:5} I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.
⁶ I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.

 

Waiting….Waiting….Waiting. Is there anybody who enjoys waiting? Most people I have met will describe waiting as one of their least favorite life situations. When we are waiting our minds tend to fixate on the not yet and the things we would love to be doing. The growth opportunity exists in bringing our full attention into the present moment and identifying GOD in our midst. It is easy to grow agitated and disturbed when we are having an “out of being” experience. When I say out of being experience I am thinking on the lines of Being a Human being and not just a human doing. An “out of being” experience occurs when our bodies exist one place but our minds are running all around town. Every moment of anxiety while waiting in a line, at a stop light, at the doctors office can indicate an out of being experience.

In the writing of this Psalm as in many others we connect with the writer in an intimate moment. The writer expresses the cry of the soul for help. He writes, “Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD…Be attentive to my cry for mercy. I can feel this. In the most challenging of my life experiences, I have found myself laying prostrate at the altar of the church I pastor with my face down and a full agonizing cry to GOD. (I do this when alone, so I don’t alarm anybody). In the moment of this cry I am fully present. My mind is not wandering, I am totally focused on experiencing GOD and GOD experiencing me. In this moment like the Psalmist I must confront my role in my situation. Either through neglect or arrogance sin has crept into my life and I need forgiveness. My situation cannot totally change until I change. Carrying guilt locks me into living in the past. Forgiveness liberates us to live in the present. When we are forgiven the residue of sin can be washed away and we become new creations in Christ. Forgiveness allows us to breath again and begin practicing being fully present in the moment. This is the challenge of waiting.

When we are able to say my whole being waits for the LORD, we are able to lose the illusion of time and see ourselves in the context of eternity. It is always now in the context of eternity. To wait with our while being takes practice. Imagine pausing the next time you find yourself waiting, and focus on your breathing. Drop your shoulders, exhale, de-stress and know you are blessed. Place your hope in the word of the LORD who plans to prosper you. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and put your hope in the unfailing love of GOD. Sometimes the wait is a Divine delay while GOD is preparing a great blessing for us. Instead of stressing through the stretching of waiting, Be Still and chill. GOD is with you and that’s all we need.

PRAYER: LORD we confess we want you to hurry up. We want to escape the waiting time and just get to the bottom line now. We want the joy of Easter without the pain of Calvary. Help us to wait with our whole being. AMEN

Point To Ponder: Where are you now? Are you fully present? Today when you find yourself waiting, don’t fiddle with your phone, or get distracted, but whisper a prayer for someone near you. Pray for your pastor or president. Breath and Be…