The LOVE of Christ Jesus spills forth as we continue to glean fruit throughout scripture. God’s love, poured into
us, overflows from our very soul if we receive all our Lord desires for us.
It’s up to us to simply receive God’s grace, love and affirmation as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. Only by examining the depth of our hearts can we hand over that which blocks God’s everlasting love from filling us full.
Here are some wise words to fill us up and to overflowing:
"Love is a strong force — a great good in every way; it alone can make our burdens light, and alone it bears in equal balance what is pleasing and displeasing. It carries a burden and does not feel it; it makes all that is bitter taste sweet. ... Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing higher, nothing stronger, nothing larger, nothing more joyful, nothing fuller, nothing better in heaven or on earth; for love is born of God and can find its rest only in God above all He has created. Such lovers fly high, run swiftly and rejoice. Their souls are free; they give all for all and have all in all. For they rest in One supreme Goodness above all things, from Whom all other good flows and proceeds. They look not only at the gifts, but at the Giver, Who is above all gifts.” Thomas à Kempis, p. 108 Imitation of Christ
February 15, 2020
2-15 Genesis 29:1-20; Psalm 87,90,136; Romans 14:1-23; John 8:47-59
The book of Romans is filled with powerful exhortations that can be twisted just a bit to derive the wrong meaning. We have to be careful to think about context and the bigger picture. These are new followers of Jesus Christ. They are trying to figure out what Jewish rule to drop, how God’s grace will ‘cover’ them if they follow all of what the new leaders teach them. Following Christ Jesus and learning how to live the New Covenant life is still being ironed out in many communities.
How about those who are still eating kosher? What about those who still sacrifice in the temple? What about those who are part of John’s followers, who choose to remain so even when they were told to follow Jesus? These were confusing times. Even Jesus’ disciples did not quite understand the depth of God’s grace as they try to lead this new flock of believers, growing by the hundreds almost daily. God was molding these people into His image but this would take time. Grace and mercy are needed to remind people to step back, breath deep and focus on God, not others.
The disciples trained up good leaders to be shepherds of the flock but the swell of new Christians seemed greater than growing faith-filled leaders. These words in Romans remind Jesus’ followers that they will be held accountable for their actions, and thoughts, when they meet God face to face.
This passage reminds us to keep our eyes on God:Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not on the way other Christians live or worship that are different our community.
Think about it: Fast forward to the here and now.
Why do we look with disdain at Christians who worship differently than ourselves?
Instead of looking at the differences of other’s Christian practices and categorizing what they lack in their faith walk, why don’t we turn our thoughts around a bit.
What would Jesus say about all the different types of churches in the U.S.?
Why do we not all worship the same way?
Why have Christians split into so many groups (which they call denominations) so that we may have lost the community of being ‘one in Christ’ in all we say and do?
God just wants us to embrace ALL of his Presence.
We seem to be so clever in creating ‘programs’ to bring people into the church.
What if we went way back and studied the way Christians gathered in the very beginning. Evaluate your own worship setting, the way your church ‘grows’ Christians during the week, the way ‘sheep’ are turned into shepherds.
Are you satisfied?
Are you growing into a leadership role?
Are you living your faith so daily with joy that others want what you have?
Assuming you are totally content with your church, which is great, visit a church that might seem uncomfortable for you. ie. visit a Catholic church if you go to a ‘Bible’ church. If you are Catholic, visit a ‘Bible’ church.
You get the drift.
Write in your journal what you observed.
You might be surprised!
Next time you attend a worship service, pay attention to the sequence of actions in the worship service.
2-18 Genesis 31:1-24; Psalm 97,99, [100] 94; 1 John 2:1-11; John 9:18-41
Think about it: Do you have eyesight problems?
Are myopic and have difficulty seeing without glasses? Simple fix. Get glasses.
Yet, sight can be more complex than getting a pair of glasses. Stories such as this one in the Gospel of John help us to see that soul-blindness is far more difficult to repair than our physical eye impairment.
2-16 Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8; 1 Corinthiens 3:1-9; Matthew 5:21-37
Matthew 5:23-24 “When you are offering your gift
at the altar, if you remember that your bother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.”
The people in Jesus’ time were no different than we are today. Many ‘rituals’ become a habit. We mindlessly put our offering in the collection plate and think we are pretty swell. We might even pat ourselves on the pack if we are the only ones in the pew putting money in the plate. The joke is, just make sure you don’t take any money out. Needless to say, this thinking misses the point.
There was a turning point for the Jews when they came face to face with Jesus and accepted Him as God. The rules that surrounded the Mosaic law no longer mattered. Sticking to the right protocol for the varied life changes had been a fact of life. Individuals or families brought offerings to the temple for different occasions no matter what one’s attitude was at the time. You obeyed the rules.
Jesus reminds his followers that it’s our attitude that God wants. He wants our whole heart and soul. No offering is worthy enough for God if our attitude of joy and gratitude and love for the One who loves us is not present. In fact, if we know another person is not happy with us, if we know we have offended anyone, then we have offended God. No offering of any kind would be acceptable to God if we have not ‘cleaned the slate’ so to speak.
That’s why we should make an ‘attitude check’ before we attend the banquet set before us, before we enter into God’s holy presence. The churches that have a set pattern of worship to prepare our hearts to come into the Lord’s presence. Worship is meant to draw us closer in our relationship with the Lord. Hindrances such as unforgiveness will block that relationship.
Think about it: Have you ever been pre-occupied with a challenging moment just before attending church? Perhaps you were running late and began to get a bit
upset. Perhaps you could not find a good parking space at church and became cranky, out of sorts.
Perhaps you find your seat before your mind becomes attentive to the soft music playing before the service. The music is meant to keep chatter to a minimum and, indeed, to soften our edginess if we are cranky.
You then become aware of people praying quietly before the service begins. This might be your golden moment to chat with the Lord, to say “I’m sorry,” before you continue further in the service. What seems to be just a few moments later, the music changes and the people are drawn to their feet. You feel the need to give praise to the Lord and you loose all memory of the frustrating morning you’ve had.
As music ceases, the leader opens with a greeting and then a prayer. Next you listen to words from scripture. You are absorbed in a mental picture of what those words mean to you. As the preacher unpacks some of the passages you just heard, you are now in the “Jesus-zone.” You want to give the lord praise and thanksgiving. All is well and good.
At this time, in order to be sure we are ready to receive from the Lord, all we have to do is say, “Sorry, Lord. Sorry I did not go with the flow. Sorry I was so cranky and fussy.” That’s it. You just made your confession to the Lord.
You are now ready to come into His presence with thanksgiving. You are ready to attend the Lord’s banquet and receive the abundant blessing of renewal for your soul. The sooner we say, “Sorry Lord,” the sooner we are open to the Holy Spirit. It’s the Spirit of God who pours into our heart and soul His endless love that heals our heart, soul, mind and body.
Most worship services are purposely set up to help us cleanse our souls of unforgiveness or crankiness so that we can receive all the Lord wants for us.
We have to do our work before the Lord is able to do His work.
Be attentive to how and when your heart totally focuses on the presence of the Lord.
Tune into when you are taken into the Lord’s arms and embraced and loved just as you are.
Our Lord wants ALL of us when we come into His presence, not a small portion that is going through the movements.
He wants our attitude to be filled with gratitude.
He wants to fill our hearts with His perfect Love so that we can love our Lord with no hindrance.
Assess the condition of your heart as you enter into worship.
Assess the condition of your heart after worship.
Do you have a better attitude, an attitude of gratitude?
Hope so.
2-17 Genesis 30:1-24; Psalm 89; 1 John 1:1-10; John 9:1-17
God’s Light is like a big spot light goes before us and we have a choice to walk into that spotlight or walk around it. The spotlight is always with us, leading us and guiding us. The catch is, when we stand in the spotlight, the light of God, we become vulnerable. Our every flaw is seen by God. God’s love for us will never change no matter how many flaws we have but amazingly our relationship with him will change. Just like Adam and Eve, who discovered their nakedness and covered themselves because they had sinned, the same happens with us.
At the very least, try to memorize 1 John 1:9
1 John 1:5-9 . . . “God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and
do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another , and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. :9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
We have the Gospel of John and then, almost at the end of the bible we find three little letters from John that cover only eight pages. This first one is not really a letter but is long enough to be a general sermon meant to be passed around to many congregations. It addresses the same problem we have today.
We may ‘say’ we are Christians but “actions speak louder than words.” Many may have professed Jesus as Lord of their life but they were still walking on the dark side of the street. Their life had not changed.
God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all . . . none . . . nada. If we say we follow the Son of God, we follow God. If this is so, we must walk with God, in the Light.
If, indeed, we walk in the light then there is no sin in us because God has no sin. One caveat. We are not God. We may walk with God, and by doing so walk in HIS Light. But we are mere mortals and must confess our misdeeds continually.
The point is that, although we may walk in the Light of God in Christ, we walk ‘through’ darkness. The world we live in is dark and filled with evil twists and turns. That darkness seeps into our lives unconsciously. However, if we continue to connect with our Lord in prayer and worship and by reading His words to us, the Lord will reveal to us those pockets of darkness within us.
God’s Light is like a big spot light goes before us and we have a choice to walk into that spotlight or walk around it. The spotlight is always with us, leading us and guiding us. The catch is, when we stand in the spotlight, the light of God, we become vulnerable. Our every flaw is seen by God. God’s love for us will never change no matter how many flaws we have but amazingly our relationship with him will change. Just like Adam and Eve, who discovered their nakedness and covered themselves because they had sinned, the same happens with us.
It’s God’s spotlight enveloping us that causes us discomfort. We want to get rid of that ugliness we see in ourselves so we look are best in the ‘Light.’ “If we confess our sins, He who is faithful will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” It’s our continuous cleansing and receiving forgiveness that helps us walk in the light, tall and upright, proud to reveal all we are to God.
It’s that continuous, active process of confession to our Lord that enables us to be cleansed by the ‘once, for all’ action of Jesus’ shed blood on the Cross. The sacrifice of Jesus’ shed blood will last for eternity for those who believe in Him. Yet, we must forever shed our transgressions by talking to God and asking forgiveness. In order for us to remain in the light, we must be without blemish. Christ’s sacrifice is complete. Our confession must continue until our mortal life is finished.
Think about it: Each time we receive Holy Communion, we, as a congregation, say a prayer together. Yet, we each are scrutinizing our own soul before our Lord. It goes like this:
“Most merciful God, we confess that we have
sinned against you in thought word and deed, by what we have done and what we have left undone; we have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake or your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen
Some might say that a ‘rote’ prayer just becomes words spewed without thinking. Indeed, this may be the case for the one who is walking in darkness, if that person even says the words. Simply by saying the words, our heart is pierced. While saying this prayer, our dark spots flood before us. One cannot help but feel a little lighter as our ‘dust of unrightousness’ is laid at the foot of the Cross. We say this prayer as we kneel, a position of humility before our Lord.
Whether we memorize the above prayer or memorize 1 John 1:9, we have a tool that reminds us to share our flakes of darkness with the Lord so that, when we walk in the Light with our Lord, we will feel clean, pure. We will walk tall as we cling to Him. We will be proud to say, “I am a Christian who chooses to walk in the Light with my Lord.”
At the very least, try to memorize 1 John 1:9
As you say the verse, over and over, in a quiet space, and confess your sins before the Lord, can you see the Light getting a bit brighter for you?
Journal your experience . . . how you felt before this time of prayer, what happened during your prayer and how you feel now.
It may be just like your first meeting with Jesus.
It’s a new beginning each time we cleanse ourselves in order to walk in His Light.
John 9:39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into the world so that those who do not see may see and those who see may become blind.”
It may seem as if we are continuing where we left off yesterday. You may be quite right. As we read through the Gospel of John and the First Letter of John, we notice the same thread weaving these scriptures together, the Light of Christ.
As in the John’s letter, John’s Gospel opens our eyes with a new ‘light’ of understanding. “Once we were blind and now we see.” In fact, that is what this Gospel message is all about.
Never before had the people ‘seen’ such a healing as when Jesus brought sight back to this man born blind. In fact, the pharisees knew this is not Jesus’ first healing of blindness. They were dumbfounded at the power this ‘Jesus’ had. “Only God could heal,” they said. They were in such a thick cloud of darkness, they were as good as blind.
Jesus did not come to heal blind people. He came into the darkness as a beacon of light so people could see God’s
righteousness, God’s presence, God’s power, God’s love, working in an through any and all who chose to follow. This blind man, when healed, suddenly had a holy boldness that stood up to the judging nature of the pharisees. He was bold enough to say, “All I know is that once I was blind and now I see.” He pierced the judgmental souls of the religious leaders in such a way that his words left them speechless.
Jesus healed those, blind in body, mind and soul, who sought healing, who sought the Light rather than darkness. The man not only saw the light of day but he also saw the light of righteousness. He saw Jesus as divine. The man spoke with an authority he’d never had before, as if his soul were filled with the ability to see in a completely different way than before.
The pharisees thought they could ‘see’ but Jesus showed them, through His words and actions, that they were totally blind to God’s miraculous presence. God sent his only begotten Son to judge those who thought they were ‘divine judges’ of others. Jesus was sent to the ‘unenlightened’ ones, to blind souls. The pharisees would remain blind until their souls could ‘see’ the light of Christ. It would take Jesus’ death on the Cross to pierce the blind souls of many pharisees.
Are myopic and have difficulty seeing without glasses? Simple fix. Get glasses.
Yet, sight can be more complex than getting a pair of glasses. Stories such as this one in the Gospel of John help us to see that soul-blindness is far more difficult to repair than our physical eye impairment.
My husband and are blessed to minister to a young blind man at church. He is physically strong, a great conversationalist, has amazing ability to remain independent via his mobile phone, and, with a little help, can manage to get through a crowd of people.
The greatest blessing is that his soul is filled with the ‘light of Christ.’ He has such a peace about him, loves weekly worship, and even brings visiting friends to church. He has even offered to volunteer with the kids in our after-school tutoring program the church offers during the week.
The greatest blessing is that his soul is filled with the ‘light of Christ.’ He has such a peace about him, loves weekly worship, and even brings visiting friends to church. He has even offered to volunteer with the kids in our after-school tutoring program the church offers during the week.
His insights with the children will bring a new ‘light’ into their lives. They may learn how the Lord can help us live a pretty good life if we ask Jesus to take away our blinders and seek His righteousness.
It’s when the heart remains open to God’s presence that we gain new sight, new understanding.
It’s when the heart remains open to God’s presence that we gain new sight, new understanding.
Can you think of a time when someone ‘enlightened’ you by their example?
Perhaps you can think of a story where another person helped you to see more clearly, especially through your
‘enlightened’ soul.
Ask the Lord to help you address your blind spots and then ask the Lord to help you ‘see’ through those blind spots and take appropriate action to clear them up completely.
It may take a lifetime to eliminate all the ‘blind’ spots we have toward others but the Lord is patient.
Start today.
Start today.
2-19 Genesis 31:25-50, Psalm 101,109,119:121-144; 1 John 2:12-17; John 10:1-18
Genesis 31: Laban asked why Jacob fled secretly and asked for his gods back which Jacob did not know were stolen. Rachel sat on them so Laben did not find them. :41-:45 Jacob said, “Through 20 years I lived in your house. I served you 14 Years for your two daughters and 6 years for your flock and you changed my wages 10 times. Laben said, “All [my daughters, your children, my flock] is mine but lets make a covenant and let it be a witness between you and me”.
Jacob set a stone as a pillar [Mizpah] and gathered a ‘heap’ [Galeed, sounds like Gilead] of stones. :48 the heap is a witness to Jacob and Laben and Jacob said, “The Lord watch over you and me when we are absent from one another.” :53-:54 So Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac. Jacob offered sacrifice on the mountain and invited his kinsmen (whole family) and spent the night. The next morning Laban departed for home.
Finally, Jacob is at peace, or is he? If you have been reading the story about Jacob’s adventures with Laban over the past twenty years, you might think this is the end of Jacob’s troubles but there is more to come. “Jacob” means deceitful. He was born of deceit and, not surprisingly, Jacob’s most favorite wife, Rachel, is also deceitful. Because of deceit, Jacob inherited the blessing [and much more] from his father, Isaac. Yet, for the past twenty years he has had to earn every bit of what he thought he owned. Then Laban says, “All that you have is still mine.” What?
Jacob, the deceiver, has had to deal with the father of his wives who seems more deceitful than himself! God is totally in charge of this one as He must prepare Jacob for the ‘mantel’ of leadership that would soon be laid upon him. God had to show Jacob who he had become and ‘turn him around.’
The sin of deceit, passed back and forth by Jacob and Laban for the past 20 years, would soon vanish completely. This treaty ceremony was the beginning. Laban, who will remain deceitful, even calls this treaty a ‘covenant’ when he invites Jacob to make peace with him. As we recall, a covenant is unbreakable and only God can be trusted not to break covenant, not human beings. Laban will never change.
The sin of deceit, passed back and forth by Jacob and Laban for the past 20 years, would soon vanish completely. This treaty ceremony was the beginning. Laban, who will remain deceitful, even calls this treaty a ‘covenant’ when he invites Jacob to make peace with him. As we recall, a covenant is unbreakable and only God can be trusted not to break covenant, not human beings. Laban will never change.
Notice, also, the boundary markers. Jacob makes a heap of stones, a tradition that dates back to Abraham. Each time Abraham stopped in his journey through Canaan, he gave thanks to God and marked each resting place with a heap of stones. The Pillar differentiates a boarder between Jacob’s land [which will soon be named Is-ra-el] and Labon’s land [Lebanon to the North]. Once again, it seems Laban watches as Jacob does all the work. The writer purposely shows the power one deceiver has over the other but this will soon change.
We remember that Jacob’s desire for Rachel was so strong, he was willing to work another seven years to ‘earn’ her after he’d worked seven years to be tricked into marrying Leah [who bore most of those who would become the Tribes of Israel]. Jacob then tricked Laban, who tricked Jacob, for the massive herds that Jacob took with him as Jacob and family secretly fled Laban’s land. Yet, they now made a treaty that would stand strong. Laban returned home and Jacob continued his journey to his next place of reconciliation.
As wild and crazy as this story is, God is in charge of everything that happened with Jacob. We must remember that Jacob is carrying the true covenant relationship with the God of his fathers. It’s Jacob’s descendants who will carry that covenant relationship through many centuries until God sends the new covenant, Jesus Christ, to humanity.
Think about it: God’s plans for us may seem as convoluted as the crazy life of Jacob.
Yet, it’s not God who made selfish decisions.
It’s not God who is deceitful to get what he wants.
It’s not God who was determined to have what he wanted no matter the consequences.
There are always consequences to our actions - some good and some bad - depending on the action.
There are always consequences to our actions - some good and some bad - depending on the action.
Are you a Jacob who has taken a circuitous route to get where you are today in the arms of our Lord? Like Jacob, do you still have some work to do before you are ready to become ‘Christ’s own forever’?
Or are you like Isaac, obedient almost to death, who will remain faithful to God to the end of life?
The Lord is with us, guiding us into His loving embrace if even one person prays for our salvation. Yes, even one prayer, sent up to God in a millisecond, sticks with God. Our prayer is heard and even acted upon.
The problem is that the person we prayed for may not be ready for salvation and may continuously say, “I have my own way of doing things.”
Our Lord never ceases to woo us into His presence but we have to choose to receive His unconditional love.
Unlike Jacob, who had to rectify a long life of deceit before he wrestled with God, we do not have to do anything but say, “yes” to God. Because of Jesus’ death on the Cross, we can be a filthy, deceitful mess when we
fall into His loving embrace.
Our sins, like deceit, need not be rectified before our ‘yes’ and, in fact, without the help of our Lord, we cannot be ‘cleansed of unrighteousness’. It’s by faith in what Jesus did for us that we are saved. It’s believing that the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross covers our sins, past and present and future, that is our salvation.
Yet, we must first say, ‘yes,’ and then be willing to say ‘yes’ to God again and again. Even if we ‘let go and let God’ do a mighty work in and through us, we are not done. It may take a lifetime to ‘let go.’ Just like Jacob, we tend to cling to habits that our Lord can do away with in a heartbeat.
Our ‘yes’ is a continuous, active, word. Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ means, let go and then let go and then, when you think you have let go of everything, keep letting go . . . of everything.
In your journal, jot down what comes to mind regarding what you still have not given over to the Lord: too much TV, unnecessary purchases, selfish attitude, . . . The list may seem endless so don’t be hard on yourself.
It’s a simple exercise that shows us we are still on the journey. We have a lifetime to loosen our grip on ‘me’ and live totally devoted to Him.
Just say, "yes."
PS: Our 'yes' today may be to pray for ONE person you know who needs to say,"yes," to Jesus' loving embrace of salvation.
2-20 Genesis 32:3-21; Psalm 105; 1 John 2:18-29; John 10:19-30
“Your God has too many rules, where is the freedom in your ‘religion’?”
Dawn has broken. Nothing more said, the angel was gone.
Jacob pondered this moment he wrestled with God.
“What just happened, what does this mean, what am I to do next?” he may have wondered. Jacob called this change in his life a “Penial” moment, a moment when he saw God face to face and yet survived. Jacob humbly walked with a limp because of his hip injury. To this day Israelites do not eat the sinew surrounding the hip in remembrance of this day . . . the day Jacob became Israel, the father of a great nation.
Are there anxious moments, negative feelings toward another in your past, family history that needs to be ‘wrestled’ through before you truly understand the Lord’s blessing upon you?
Just say, "yes."
PS: Our 'yes' today may be to pray for ONE person you know who needs to say,"yes," to Jesus' loving embrace of salvation.
1 John 2:24 “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.”
The churches that received this letter may have needed affirmation. Of the many new Christians, those who remained were indeed the ones who are anointed and are able to ‘abide’ in Christ. In the early church there were many who outwardly said, “yes” to faith in Christ Jesus but may not have followed through with baptism. They may not have been able to endure the ‘bumps’ along the way in this ‘family of Christ.’
To ‘abide’ in Christ means to continuously, actively be ‘one with Christ.’ Those who ‘abide’ in Christ are so focused on having an intimate relationship with God through his Son that they barely feel the bumps along the way. It’s a matter of focus, perseverance, constancy, unity . . . relationship. New Christians need encouragement to keep their focus on the Lord. It might have taken only one voice of confusion to direct their path elsewhere.
Those who wish to stir things up a bit might be called the ‘anti-Christ’ . . . the ones against Christ. One who has a commanding voice may make false statements about Jesus to gain attention or simply to draw the crowds away from God’s Son. In those days there was intermittent persecution against Christians. Those new in Christ needed teaching, understanding and guidance to understand that it was better to die physically in order to retain eternal life with God. It’s tough to know that being a Christian might mean the end of one’s life on this earth.
Think about it: We may hear voices against the reality of Jesus as the second person of our triune God but
American Christians do not have the threat of death at our door . . . yet.
We may hear threats such as:
“You are anti-Semitic because you say Jesus is the only way to God.”
In order to respond more deeply than, “Jesus was a Jew,” we have to know our salvation history through study of scripture. The continuation of the Jewish faith involves the final ‘sacrifice,’ Jesus Christ. Jesus came for the Jew first and when too many ignored Him, the ‘gentiles’ were invited to ‘abide’ in Him. By faith we all are invited into this New Covenant relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
“Muslims also believe in the God of Abraham so we must have the same god.”
This is correct. Muhammed, in a revelation that he received on his own, and did not invite others to ruminate with him, wrote from what he knew to be truth in about 500 AD. Five hundred years after Christianity was well established.
Jewish Covenant relationship began with Abraham but continued through his son, Isaac and through Isaac’s son, Jacob, and into the 12 tribes born from Jacob, called ‘Is-ra-el.’ That’s why we refer to our Covenant God as the “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” This is to differentiate from the muslim god of Abraham. A religion that lauds Abraham is not at all like covenant relationship that God presented to Abraham and carried through the many generations in order to give us His ultimate, last sacrifice, His only begotten son, Jesus, the Christ, the anointed one. We who are baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, worship our Triune God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and are called Christians, Christ followers. Christ Jesus is part of the ‘community’ of God.
Islam worships a god created by one man, who died a mortal death.
The one who succeeded him is still in controversy so there are many ‘sects’ of Islam to this day.
Sheep need fences to feel safe. In the safety of the ‘gates of our Lord’s presence’ we learn to listen to God’s voice and none other. We feel secure enough to listen and learn and become strong. At any point we can ‘jump the fence’ (or crawl under it) to seek other pastures but at our own peril. Our Lord will never leave us nor forsake us but we may have to deal with some pretty steep cliffs when we journey alone.
The ‘rules’ are guidelines for our soul to remain healthy and open to our Lord. One rule is to ‘abide’ in our Lord, to continuously, actively seek God’s guidance in every decision we make. Our return on ‘investment’ in Christ Jesus, by faith, reaps rewards beyond our comprehension. Rules simply guide us to God’s abundant treasure.
Learning to ‘abide’ in Christ, to stand firm in our faith, to remain focused on the One who guides our every step, takes practice.
We must ‘practice’ our faith daily:
Read scripture to better understand the doctrines of our faith.
Join others weekly to discuss high and low points of your journey and to be encouraged as we walk together with our Lord.
Worship the Lord daily by taking time to share specific
acclamations of gratitude.
Worship with our specific Christian community weekly, or more often if your church offers the opportunity.
Abiding in Christ is not a solitary endeavor but a communal celebration of our faith in God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
Abide, en-JOY, grow, let your faith spill over into other’s lives.
2-21 Genesis 32:22—33:17; Psalm 102,107:1-32; 1 John 3:1-10; John 10:31-42
Genesis 32:24 “And Jacob was alone and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. :25 and Jacob’s thigh was dislocated. :26 Jacob would not let go until he was given a blessing :28 Then the man said, “You shall no longer be named Jacob but shall be called “Israel”for you have ‘striven’ with God and with humans and have prevailed.” :30 The place was named “Penial” which means, “I have seen God face to face yet my life has been preserved.” :32 To this day the sons of Israel do not eat the sinew of the hip.
Although all of the book of Genesis is packed with
intrigue, this passage regarding God’s interaction with
Jacob is fascinating. I record only snippets of Jacob’s wild episode as he fought with the angel of the Lord. Read this passage for yourself. You’ll be riveted.
God challenged Jacob for the past twenty years in order to shape him to the point that he is open to fully receiving the presence of the God of his fathers. Through his many challenges, Jacob thrived and was blessed with an abundance of animals, children, wives and so much more. Jacob knows he has done well, especially after making amends with Laban. Jacob prepared for his final restitution with his brother Esau, whom he had not seen for decades. He sent his family and all he owned across the Jordan and spent the night alone, perhaps in contemplation regarding his next step.
Just before dawn, while the night is as dark as pitch, a ‘being’ comes to Jacob right where the Jabbok river joins the Jordon river. ‘Jabbok’ sounds much like ‘Jacob’ and is very close to the word for ‘wrestle.’ Hebrew writers loved to play with words to derive deeper meaning to the story. Indeed, Jacob, wondering who this 'being' is, begins to wrestle with him, first in words, then in action.
Jacob wants a blessing, an affirmation that the two will leave on good terms. Jacob is strong. Dawn is breaking. This ‘being’ must not be seen so strikes Jacob’s hip and dislocates it to loosen Jacob’s grip. The voice of blessing says, “You shall no longer be named Jacob but shall be called “Israel”for you have ‘striven’ with God and with humans and have prevailed.”
Jacob wants a blessing, an affirmation that the two will leave on good terms. Jacob is strong. Dawn is breaking. This ‘being’ must not be seen so strikes Jacob’s hip and dislocates it to loosen Jacob’s grip. The voice of blessing says, “You shall no longer be named Jacob but shall be called “Israel”for you have ‘striven’ with God and with humans and have prevailed.”
Jacob, the deceiver, was given a new name, Israel, “to strive with God.” It took God years to break the deceptive spirit in Jacob and prepare him for this mantel he would wear as a leader of the “Twelve Tribes of Israel.” Jacob was a tough case for God but God always wins.
Think about it: God has a purpose for each of us. We may not be a leader of a great nation but God wants us to lead others in some capacity. Our Lord wants us ‘broken’ enough to be malleable, to mold us into the ‘shape’ of our purpose through Him. Often, we are clueless so must ‘strive’ to know God, to wrestle with God if there is any deceit within us.
Too often we carry baggage from our childhood, from moments when we did not ‘know’ our Lord, when we had little or no relationship with the One who has been molding us for His use from before we were born.
Once we actually see our Lord, face to face, and acknowledge, by faith, that He is our Lord, the work begins.
Once we actually see our Lord, face to face, and acknowledge, by faith, that He is our Lord, the work begins.
Do you have unforgiveness of any kind in your heart that you still cling to hoping it will fade away in time?
You might choose to take some moments to wrestle it loose from your soul.
You might choose to take some moments to wrestle it loose from your soul.
Ask Jesus to take each, specific, named, unforgiving moment from you and leave it at the foot of the Cross.
Then ask Jesus to forgive you for holding on to this baggage for so long.
Then wait, ponder, be silent . . .
In time, when your work is done, the Lord will give you a new name. Your name might be ‘overcomer’, ‘fresh life’, ‘made whole’, ‘lover of life’ . . . ‘JOY’.
In time, when your work is done, the Lord will give you a new name. Your name might be ‘overcomer’, ‘fresh life’, ‘made whole’, ‘lover of life’ . . . ‘JOY’.
Whatever your new name, live it.
You will be amazed how the ‘new you’ emerges from the ashes of unforgiveness.
2-22 Genesis 35:1-20; Psalm 107:33-43; 108:1-13,33; 1 John 3:11-18; John 11:1-16
Psalm 107:38 He blesses them and they multiply
greatly.
Psalm 108:13 Through God we will do valiantly.
Psalm 33:18 Behold the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on these who hope for His lovingkindness.
Tucked into each days readings is a Psalm or three, songs of reflection or thanksgiving. These selections begin the “fifth book” of the five books of Psalms. Contrary to popular belief, the psalms are not all written by David but are many are re-written from ancient ‘Akkadian’ and Egyptian poetry to give glory to our covenant God.
Too often I read these words in the psalms quickly and move on. I then remember that these are a way to ‘pray the scriptures.’ I back up, begin again, and re-read them in a more pensive mood. The psalms often reflect the mood of the other scriptures of the day. In fact, when read out loud, it’s like sending up ‘sweet incense’ to the Lord.
Psalms, sometimes spoken, sometimes sung, allow us to hear the power, the fortitude of our own voice. Our voice may be melodious but, to those pesky evil spirits, it is like banging a metal spoon against a pan to make them flee like a flock of squawking crows. Our voice can use God’s words to provide a protective barrier when we pray for others.
More times than none, we must find a quiet moment before the rest of the family is in need of our assistance. That makes it difficult to ‘say’ words out loud when praising the Lord.
That’s OK too.
Our Lord is honored when we do our best to grab a moment with the Him before the day spins out of control.
However, when you find a verse that delights your heart, write it down on a 3X5 card or something that can endure a ride in your pocket over several days.
Each morning tuck that phrase in your pocket so that it is handy when you do have a moment alone.
Pull it out and read it nice and loud . . . above a whisper.
Read the phrase or psalm again out loud as you picture each word. Now try to sing the phrase in whatever odd tune that comes into your heart. Can you picture, David, the young shepherd as he sat alone with his sheep, pondering his flock and singing praise to the Lord? At that very moment you may be a ‘David’ whom the Lord is grooming for something greater than ‘shepherd’ of your home-flock.
If you love this poetic phrase, memorize it so that it is always close to your heart. Remember to say it out loud daily to scatter those pesky spirits who tend to nip at us and bruise our soul with negative feelings.
After you memorize one phrase, pick an entire psalm to memorize over a period of time. Pray through one phrase a week until it is etched in your soul. In no time at all you will have memorized a treasure and tucked it into your heart.
My favorite is Psalm 100 but Psalms 1, 23, 121 are also very popular.
You may find small parts of larger psalms, like the ones used today, to be perfect gems.
Use your voice.
It’s a wonderful tool of protection for prayer.
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow . . . “
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