SCRIPTURE
Mark 8:27-30 (NRSV)
Peter's confession
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
DEVOTION
This is one of my favorite passages of scripture. I love the conversation between friends that is going on between Jesus and his disciples. I can just imagine them walking the dusty roads between the villages, shooting the breeze and talking about life. As they were walking, Jesus says in a kinda off hand way, “What’s the word on the street about me?” (My Holy Ghost inspired imagination can just hear Jesus giggling in his heart!)
Well, one disciple says, “I’ve heard that you are the reincarnation of John the Baptist.” Another disciple says, “Nah, man! I’ve heard that he’s Elijah!” Someone else chimes in, “Come on! I’ve heard that he’s one of the prophets of old!” At this point, everyone must have been adding their two cents and it must have been getting mighty animated on that road as each of Jesus’ followers argued their point.
Finally, I can imagine that Jesus came to an abrupt stop, looked into the eyes of the people he had been sharing his life with, and asked a simple question, “But who do YOU say I am?” Peter, ever the willing spokesman states emphatically, “You are the Messiah!” In the Gospel of Matthew, the Apostle Peter’s remarks are recorded as, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!”
See this amazing encounter teaches us something very important about our relationship with Jesus. It really doesn’t matter who other people say Jesus is. Some may say he was just a great prophet. Others may say that he was a charlatan and a hoax. Some may say that he’s the “white man’s God.” Others may say he was just a man…
See folks are always going to be saying something about Jesus. But, it really doesn’t matter what other people say; they are entitled to their opinions. What matters, is what we say. What matters is how we articulate our personal relationship with GOD, through JESUS Christ.
Can’t you just hear Jesus asking YOU, “Who do YOU say that I am?” As your heart reflects upon that question during the Lenten Season, do you see Jesus prophesying in the temple, casting out the demons, healing the sick and dis-eased, raising the dead, going to the cross, making atonement for our sins, hanging his head and dying, then rising again on the third day just for you and for me?!
When anyone asks us, “Who do you say that Jesus is?,” our hearts ought to cry out with a loud voice, “He is the Christ! He is the Messiah! He is the Son of the Living God! He is my Savior! He is my Lord! He is my King! He is my very best friend!”
We ought not to be afraid to answer this question! All of us have a testimony about how our relationship with Jesus has made a difference in our lives. All of us can tell somebody that God loves, God gave, and God saves! All of us can bring a friend to the foot of the cross and whisper, “Now, behold the Lamb…”
Can you hear Jesus asking, “Who do you say that I am?” How will you answer today?
Oh! How I love you, Jesus! I say that you are my Messiah, savior, redeemer, and friend! Help me to boldly share my love for you with others. You have changed and redeemed my life—how can I fail to share that GOOD NEWS with others? I go out today determined to make you famous everywhere I go! In Your Holy Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Good News has now added a prayer ministry. If you have a prayer request or praise report, or would like to pray for others, please click the link found under my profile picture. Thank you!
The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. You can purchase the book by clicking the link to the right. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am.
“The Lamb of God” can be purchased by clicking the link to the right. In addition, most of the songs shared in this blog can be purchased through AMAZON.COM by clicking the GOOD NEWS LIVING store to the right.
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
I'M STANDING IN THE NEED OF PRAYER
SCRIPTURE
Romans 4:1-12 (NRSV)
Abraham counted righteous by God for his faith
What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. So also David speaks of the blessedness of those to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works:
"Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
blessed is the one against whom the Lord will not reckon sin."
Is this blessedness, then, pronounced only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We say, "Faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness." How then was it reckoned to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the ancestor of all who believe without being circumcised and who thus have righteousness reckoned to them, and likewise the ancestor of the circumcised who are not only circumcised but who also follow the example of the faith that our ancestor Abraham had before he was circumcised.
DEVOTION
Let me offer a few thoughts before your eyes cross regarding all the talk about circumcision! (smile)
In 2009, we may be tempted to think that this argument is over. For no longer do we stand in churches and argue that people cannot be saved, join the church, or be baptized until they are circumcised.
But, isn’t it true that we DO sometimes judge the “righteousness” of others by characteristics that we can see with our eyes? For example, I don’t know about you, but I have been in churches where a homeless man has walked in and people have turned up their noses in disgust or where a young teenage male with sagging pants, a platinum grill, fingernails painted black, or a pink mow hawk has found a seat on the back row and people snicker. I have heard people talking about drug addicts, prostitutes, felons, and/or “baby-mamas” with the absolute assurance that they are beyond the pale of God.
See, when people don’t look or act how we expect them to, we sometimes judge them unworthy of God’s salvation. We would never say it, but our actions speak louder than our words.
I will never forget the day, when I was a young girl, that a pregnant teenage mother gave her testimony in church. As she waddled to the front, everyone began whispering behind their hands and snickering their, “Lord have mercies…”
When she got to the microphone, she had a very simple message that profoundly changed my life. She said, “My sin is visible and your sins are hidden. That is the only reason you can so boldly judge me. I am so glad that JESUS forgives both of us for our mistakes!”
What a wonderful GOOD NEWS testimony! Following her words, it was completely silent in my very large church. You could have heard a pin drop. It was on that day that we all remembered that, “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the one against whom the Lord will not reckon sin.”
My friends, we can never know the condition of someone’s heart and we can never know whether they have placed their faith in Jesus. That is a matter best left to God--and God alone--to judge.
Is there someone whom you have been judging harshly to whom you can show love today?
Gracious God, some of my sins are apparent and others are hidden, but all are in need of your forgiveness and grace. Please forgive me for thinking that I was better than any of my brothers or sisters. For I know that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God! Thank you for the GOOD NEWS that we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. Help me to faithfully and urgently share this GOOD NEWS with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Today is WORLD DAY OF PRAYER (WDP). WDP is, "a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year. Through WDP women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world." For more information please visit http://www.worlddayofprayer.net
Good News has now added a prayer ministry. If you have a prayer request or praise report, or would like to pray for others, please click the link found under my profile picture. Thank you!
The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. You can purchase the book by clicking the link to the right. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am.
Most of the songs shared in this blog can be purchased through AMAZON.COM by clicking the GOOD NEWS LIVING store to the right.
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
Thursday, March 5, 2009
REALLY...HOW MUCH DO I OWE?
SCRIPTURE
Romans 3:21-31 (NRSV)
Righteousness through faith
But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.
Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
DEVOTION
In today’s reading the Apostle Paul really gives us a very important Holy Ghost inspired reminder! His words remind us that we are not made right with God by keeping the Law, because all of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. We are not made right with God through our good works, lest we should begin to boast about all the good things we do for others. We are not made right with God by any external action or factor such as circumcision, or wearing the flashiest cross, or carrying the biggest Bible. No, no my friends! The only way that we are made right with God is by putting all of our faith in Jesus!
Now, I don’t know about you, but I am really happy about this GOOD NEWS! It sets me free to live my life to God’s glory, but without fear or shame. I can do the best that I can, but trust that when I do fall down, God will pick me up. I can pour out my life in love and service to others; but also believe that when I need to rest, God does not frown upon me. I can give my best to Jesus in all that I do, but trust that if I don’t look or sound or act exactly like the pastor, deacon, or church council member, I’m still alright with God!
See, God has made salvation simple. The Bible promises that as long as we confess with our mouths that, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we are saved! (Romans 10:9) We are made righteous because we are covered in the blood of the lamb and we are now justified because of God’s grace. There is nothing—absolutely NO-THING—that we can do to earn God’s love and there is nothing—absolutely NO-THING—that we can do to make God ever stop loving us!
Wow! Isn’t that Amazing, GRACE…
In what ways have you been trying to earn your salvation? Are you willing to release that burden today?
Holy God, how great Thou art! Your loving kindness and tender mercies astound me! Thank you that you have made our relationship so simple. I don’t have to do anything to earn my salvation; JESUS already paid the price for me! Now, I get to serve you. I get to love you and I get to share your love with others! I am so excited…please help me to be faithful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Any of the songs that I have shared in the GOOD NEWS devotionals, can be found in the GOOD NEWS LIVING store by clicking on the link to the right!
The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. You can purchase the book by clicking the link to the right. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am.
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
Romans 3:21-31 (NRSV)
Righteousness through faith
But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.
Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
DEVOTION
In today’s reading the Apostle Paul really gives us a very important Holy Ghost inspired reminder! His words remind us that we are not made right with God by keeping the Law, because all of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. We are not made right with God through our good works, lest we should begin to boast about all the good things we do for others. We are not made right with God by any external action or factor such as circumcision, or wearing the flashiest cross, or carrying the biggest Bible. No, no my friends! The only way that we are made right with God is by putting all of our faith in Jesus!
Now, I don’t know about you, but I am really happy about this GOOD NEWS! It sets me free to live my life to God’s glory, but without fear or shame. I can do the best that I can, but trust that when I do fall down, God will pick me up. I can pour out my life in love and service to others; but also believe that when I need to rest, God does not frown upon me. I can give my best to Jesus in all that I do, but trust that if I don’t look or sound or act exactly like the pastor, deacon, or church council member, I’m still alright with God!
See, God has made salvation simple. The Bible promises that as long as we confess with our mouths that, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we are saved! (Romans 10:9) We are made righteous because we are covered in the blood of the lamb and we are now justified because of God’s grace. There is nothing—absolutely NO-THING—that we can do to earn God’s love and there is nothing—absolutely NO-THING—that we can do to make God ever stop loving us!
Wow! Isn’t that Amazing, GRACE…
In what ways have you been trying to earn your salvation? Are you willing to release that burden today?
Holy God, how great Thou art! Your loving kindness and tender mercies astound me! Thank you that you have made our relationship so simple. I don’t have to do anything to earn my salvation; JESUS already paid the price for me! Now, I get to serve you. I get to love you and I get to share your love with others! I am so excited…please help me to be faithful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Any of the songs that I have shared in the GOOD NEWS devotionals, can be found in the GOOD NEWS LIVING store by clicking on the link to the right!
The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. You can purchase the book by clicking the link to the right. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am.
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
I WON'T COMPLAIN
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 77 (NRSV)
Prayer for God to remember us
I cry aloud to God,
aloud to God, that he may hear me.
In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
I think of God, and I moan;
I meditate, and my spirit faints.
Selah
You keep my eyelids from closing;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I consider the days of old,
and remember the years of long ago.
I commune with my heart in the night;
I meditate and search my spirit:
"Will the Lord spurn forever,
and never again be favorable?
Has his steadfast love ceased forever?
Are his promises at an end for all time?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"
Selah
And I say, "It is my grief
that the right hand of the Most High has changed."
I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord;
I will remember your wonders of old.
I will meditate on all your work,
and muse on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
you have displayed your might among the peoples.
With your strong arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah
When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
the very deep trembled.
The clouds poured out water;
the skies thundered;
your arrows flashed on every side.
The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lit up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
Your way was through the sea,
your path, through the mighty waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
DEVOTION
Have you ever been so troubled that you could not speak? Have you ever been so concerned that you just could not go to sleep? Have you ever had a night where you laid awake all night long, calling out to God, begging for help, begging for mercy, and when the sun came up you weren’t sure if God had heard you?
I’ve had some of those nights and I am sure that you have too. It is the human condition to despair in times of trouble. When we find ourselves in the desolate place, unsure of just where God is or what God is doing, we sometimes begin to panic.
We begin to worry that God has left us. We begin to despair that God has forsaken us. We begin to imagine that we are going to have to try to solve our problem on our own.
In today’s psalm, the psalmist was in that deep, dark place. He was treading through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. He had encountered a dark night of the soul.
But, then GOOD NEWS breaks in and something wonderful happens! In the midst of his trials and his tribulations he begins to remember the wonderful things that God has done in the past. He begins to recount the mighty miracles wrought for the Hebrew people. He begins to encourage himself by calling to mind the good deeds, works and wonders of God.
As he turns his focus from his little troubles, to his very big God, he begins to feel a spirit of praise well up in his belly! He remembers that since God saved before, God will save again!
Recently I received a Facebook flair from a friend that says, “Don’t tell God how big your storms are, tell your storms how big your God is!”
Wow! What a paradigm shift, ya’ll. When we begin to fix our eyes steadfastly on Jesus, we will no problem testifying that, “all of my good days, out weight my bad days, I won’t complain!”
What can you do today to return your gaze to Jesus in the midst of your storms?
Lord of the Universe, we bow in reverence when we remember your awesome power to Create and to Save. Please help me to take my eyes off of my troubles and lift them up to you. I know in your face I will find all of the love, encouragement, and support that I need to persevere day by day. I love you and I know you love me too! There is nothing that we can’t face together. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Today’s song, “I Won’t Complain” can be purchased by clicking the link to the right.
The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. You can purchase the book by clicking the link to the right. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am.
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
Monday, March 2, 2009
GIMME A BREAK!
SCRIPTURE
Job 4:1-21 (NRSV)
Eliphaz speaks of sin
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:
"If one ventures a word with you, will you be offended?
But who can keep from speaking?
See, you have instructed many;
you have strengthened the weak hands.
Your words have supported those who were stumbling,
and you have made firm the feeble knees.
But now it has come to you, and you are impatient;
it touches you, and you are dismayed.
Is not your fear of God your confidence,
and the integrity of your ways your hope?
"Think now, who that was innocent ever perished?
Or where were the upright cut off?
As I have seen, those who plow iniquity
and sow trouble reap the same.
By the breath of God they perish,
and by the blast of his anger they are consumed.
The roar of the lion, the voice of the fierce lion,
and the teeth of the young lions are broken.
The strong lion perishes for lack of prey,
and the whelps of the lioness are scattered.
"Now a word came stealing to me,
my ear received the whisper of it.
Amid thoughts from visions of the night,
when deep sleep falls on mortals,
dread came upon me, and trembling,
which made all my bones shake.
A spirit glided past my face;
the hair of my flesh bristled.
It stood still,
but I could not discern its appearance.
A form was before my eyes;
there was silence, then I heard a voice:
'Can mortals be righteous before God?
Can human beings be pure before their Maker?
Even in his servants he puts no trust,
and his angels he charges with error;
how much more those who live in houses of clay,
whose foundation is in the dust,
who are crushed like a moth.
Between morning and evening they are destroyed;
they perish forever without any regarding it.
Their tent-cord is plucked up within them,
and they die devoid of wisdom.'
DEVOTIONAL
On Ash Wednesday you may have gone to your church to have ashes placed upon your head. In my place of worship, as the ashes were distributed the pastor stated, “Remember you are ash and to the ash you will return.”
This was a very profound and humbling message on that day of repentance. The GOOD NEWS is that God is very aware that we dwell in “houses of clay.” God know us intimately and loves us anyway.
God loves us so much that God gave Jesus upon the cross to be atonement for our sin and to secure our eternal relationship with God.
Whilst this Lenten Season is all about examining ourselves before God and rooting out the hidden sin-full-ness that dwells within us, let us also remember that our God is loving and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love!
God does not ask us to confess so that God can point the finger of condemnation at us; God asks us to confess so that we can experience God’s love and amazing grace!
During this Lenten Season I want to share something with you that a wise woman once shared with me. She said, “Be gentle with yourself and others and be non-judgmental of yourself and others.”
If we walk in humility in the coming days, I believe we will draw ever closer to the heart of God and in that heart we will discover boundless love for ourselves and our neighbors.
How can you be gentler with yourself today?
Loving God, I admit that I am often too hard on myself and others. Help me to be more gentle and kind. In Jesus Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. You can purchase the book by clicking the link to the right. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am.
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Who Will Be A Witness For My Lord?
SCRIPTURE
First Sunday in Lent
Mark 1:9-15 (NRSV)
The temptation of Jesus
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
SERMON
Today we get to talk about the 3 Ws--Water, wilderness, and witness. This concept is borrowed from the United Methodist Church’s Board of Discipleship and serves nicely to encapsulate today’s GOOD NEWS message! As we explore the 3Ws together, I want us to think deeply about what it means to be a Christian and how it is that God prepares us to be proclaimers of the GOOD NEWS message.
First of all, let’s explore the theme of water. In today’s reading Jesus goes down to the Jordan River to be baptized by his cousin John. Now, one can only imagine why the Son of God would need—or want—to be baptized. Generally, when we think of the reasons for Baptism we might say that it is an outward action which reminds us that Christ washes away our sins, extends to us God’s grace and mercy, invites us into a salvific relationship, and promises us eternal life.
When I was a little girl, I was always told that Baptism is a public declaration of your commitment to being a part of the Body of Christ. In my home church, when someone is baptized we say, “Welcome to the Family of God!”
Given this understanding of baptism, it seems strange that Jesus came down to the chilly Jordan River singing, “Take Me To The Water.” I mean, Jesus had no sin. He was the embodiment of God’s grace. He was to become the means of our salvation and he was already well acquainted with eternal life!
Is it no wonder then, that his cousin John expressed shock at seeing Jesus down by the riverside? And before he could get over his shock, he stated emphatically, “Jesus! You ought to be baptizing me!” In response to his humble message, Jesus says, “‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.”
My! That’s a tall order, isn’t it? Well, rather than stand in the water asking a bunch of questions, John trusts that Jesus knows what he is doing and so he baptizes Jesus according to his request. As Jesus comes up out of the water, the sky rolls back, the Spirit of God descends in the form of a dove and the voice of God declares, “You are my son, The Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Wow! What a wonderful affirmation of Jesus’ special relationship with God as the “only begotten Son!” But do you know what? In response to this great moment in scripture, all that I can hear in my spirit is 1 John 3:1 which says, “See what love God has given us, that we should be called the children of God!”
Oh what Amazing Love, What awesome grace come down, that we too should be called the sons and daughters of God and that we too should hear the voice of God declaring at our baptisms, “You are my son. You are my daughter. You are beloved. With you I am well pleased…”
How incredible is that, ya’ll? But before the voice of God finished echoing across the desert in affirmation of Jesus’ baptism and of his special relationship with God, something incredibly strange happens. The very same spirit that has just lavished so much praise upon Jesus, then turns and “immediately drives Jesus out into the wilderness!”
Immediately? Into the wilderness? But, why? Why would God send Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan for forty days and forty nights?
I don’t know about you, but when I think of the 2nd W—wilderness--I think of “lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!” I am the epitome of a city girl. The only camping I have ever done was at Girl Scout camp in a little tent cabin with bunk beds and electricity. I am afraid of the dark, afraid of the cold, and afraid of the wilderness experience.
When I think of the wilderness I imagine a deep and abiding quiet, a loneliness that is tangible, and a need to be extremely hardy. I, for one, cannot imagine foraging for food, or avoiding wild animals, or sleeping on the ground.
Now, I know that I probably sound pretty silly to all the campers, fishers, and hunters in the room, but I’m just trying to keep it real with you on this Sunday morning! (Laughing..)
There is nothing in my life experience that would help me to understand how the wilderness could be a good thing. That is why in my search for answers, I had to turn to the wise, old elders to find out.
In the Black Church tradition we have a saying, “If God brings you to it, God’ll bring you through it.” The Bible says, “All things work together for good, for those that love God and are the called according to God’s purposes (Romans 8:28).” And more than one good ole church mama has whispered in my ear from time to time, “Chile, you ain’t got no testimony, without a test!”
My! My! My! My! My!
All these wise ones remind us that the wilderness is not all bad because it fortifies us for the journey ahead. While Jesus was out in the wilderness Satan tempted him in body, mind, and spirit. And when we meet our wilderness experiences we may be tempted in a similar fashion.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not ashamed to tell you that I’ve had some wilderness experiences. I have been driven out into the lonely places by God to affirm my relationship with God and to learn to put all of my trust in Jesus.
Listen, you don’t mind if I testify now, do you?
I have been hungry and poor and tempted to get money any kind a way, but I had to trust Jehovah Jireh, God who is my provider. I have been depressed and anxious over many things, but I have had to trust Jehovah Shalom, God who is my peace. I have been sick in my body and tempted to give up on God, but then I remembered that God is Jehovah Raphe, the God who heals me!
Come on, somebody! I know that I am not the only one who has ever been driven out into the wilderness of life…Has anyone ever been abused and mistreated and had to trust, El Roi, the God who sees us? Has anyone here ever felt small and afraid and convinced that you just could not make it through another day and El Shaddai, God Almighty, showed up just in time!
I could go on and on because God is Good (all the time!) And all the time (God is good!) But, I got the feeling that somebody in here knows what I am talking about.
See, it is in the wilderness of life that we come face to face with our very real need for God. When we are tempted to try to go our own way, or live in our own power, or push forward by our own might, the wilderness of life encroaches upon us and we learn to sing with the ancestors, “I Need Thee! Oh, I Need Thee! Every hour I need Thee! Oh bless me now my Savior, I Come To Thee!”
Now, scripture doesn’t tell us all of the lessons that Jesus learned and affirmed out in the wilderness, it only says that when he emerged from the wilderness forty days later, he was on fire! He hit the “streets” running! He was willing and ready to carry out his God-ordained mission on the earth!
Can’t you just hear Jesus calling, “"The time is fulfilled, The kingdom of God is at hand! Repent now and believe the good news."
Oh, Glory to God in the Highest! After we go under the waters of our baptism and emerge from the wilderness experiences of our lives, we come forth ready to bear witness to the GOOD NEWS that Jesus saves and saves to the upmost!
Right now, you may be experiencing life in the wilderness. You may be feeling alone and afraid. You may be tempted by Satan and the world on every side, but do not be discouraged my friend. Hold on to God’s unchanging hand. God may not come when you want him, but God is always right on time!
God was on time, as Jesus led his disciples. God was on time, as Jesus went to the old rugged cross. God was on time, as Jesus shouted, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!” God was on time, as Jesus hung his head and died. God was on time, when they laid Jesus in the tomb. God was on time, as the disciples dispersed dismayed and depressed.
And let me tell you one more thing! MY GOD WAS ON TIME, when early one Sunday morning before the break of day, Jesus got up! He got up with all power in his hands. He got up victorious over sin, death and the grave. He got up having secured our pardon and reconciliation with God.
Now we can sing in the words of the song,
Before the throne of God Above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great High Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of my guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of Glory and of Grace,
One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
Water, Wilderness, and Witness…Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. You can purchase the book by clicking the link to the right. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
First Sunday in Lent
Mark 1:9-15 (NRSV)
The temptation of Jesus
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
SERMON
Today we get to talk about the 3 Ws--Water, wilderness, and witness. This concept is borrowed from the United Methodist Church’s Board of Discipleship and serves nicely to encapsulate today’s GOOD NEWS message! As we explore the 3Ws together, I want us to think deeply about what it means to be a Christian and how it is that God prepares us to be proclaimers of the GOOD NEWS message.
First of all, let’s explore the theme of water. In today’s reading Jesus goes down to the Jordan River to be baptized by his cousin John. Now, one can only imagine why the Son of God would need—or want—to be baptized. Generally, when we think of the reasons for Baptism we might say that it is an outward action which reminds us that Christ washes away our sins, extends to us God’s grace and mercy, invites us into a salvific relationship, and promises us eternal life.
When I was a little girl, I was always told that Baptism is a public declaration of your commitment to being a part of the Body of Christ. In my home church, when someone is baptized we say, “Welcome to the Family of God!”
Given this understanding of baptism, it seems strange that Jesus came down to the chilly Jordan River singing, “Take Me To The Water.” I mean, Jesus had no sin. He was the embodiment of God’s grace. He was to become the means of our salvation and he was already well acquainted with eternal life!
Is it no wonder then, that his cousin John expressed shock at seeing Jesus down by the riverside? And before he could get over his shock, he stated emphatically, “Jesus! You ought to be baptizing me!” In response to his humble message, Jesus says, “‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.”
My! That’s a tall order, isn’t it? Well, rather than stand in the water asking a bunch of questions, John trusts that Jesus knows what he is doing and so he baptizes Jesus according to his request. As Jesus comes up out of the water, the sky rolls back, the Spirit of God descends in the form of a dove and the voice of God declares, “You are my son, The Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Wow! What a wonderful affirmation of Jesus’ special relationship with God as the “only begotten Son!” But do you know what? In response to this great moment in scripture, all that I can hear in my spirit is 1 John 3:1 which says, “See what love God has given us, that we should be called the children of God!”
Oh what Amazing Love, What awesome grace come down, that we too should be called the sons and daughters of God and that we too should hear the voice of God declaring at our baptisms, “You are my son. You are my daughter. You are beloved. With you I am well pleased…”
How incredible is that, ya’ll? But before the voice of God finished echoing across the desert in affirmation of Jesus’ baptism and of his special relationship with God, something incredibly strange happens. The very same spirit that has just lavished so much praise upon Jesus, then turns and “immediately drives Jesus out into the wilderness!”
Immediately? Into the wilderness? But, why? Why would God send Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan for forty days and forty nights?
I don’t know about you, but when I think of the 2nd W—wilderness--I think of “lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!” I am the epitome of a city girl. The only camping I have ever done was at Girl Scout camp in a little tent cabin with bunk beds and electricity. I am afraid of the dark, afraid of the cold, and afraid of the wilderness experience.
When I think of the wilderness I imagine a deep and abiding quiet, a loneliness that is tangible, and a need to be extremely hardy. I, for one, cannot imagine foraging for food, or avoiding wild animals, or sleeping on the ground.
Now, I know that I probably sound pretty silly to all the campers, fishers, and hunters in the room, but I’m just trying to keep it real with you on this Sunday morning! (Laughing..)
There is nothing in my life experience that would help me to understand how the wilderness could be a good thing. That is why in my search for answers, I had to turn to the wise, old elders to find out.
In the Black Church tradition we have a saying, “If God brings you to it, God’ll bring you through it.” The Bible says, “All things work together for good, for those that love God and are the called according to God’s purposes (Romans 8:28).” And more than one good ole church mama has whispered in my ear from time to time, “Chile, you ain’t got no testimony, without a test!”
My! My! My! My! My!
All these wise ones remind us that the wilderness is not all bad because it fortifies us for the journey ahead. While Jesus was out in the wilderness Satan tempted him in body, mind, and spirit. And when we meet our wilderness experiences we may be tempted in a similar fashion.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not ashamed to tell you that I’ve had some wilderness experiences. I have been driven out into the lonely places by God to affirm my relationship with God and to learn to put all of my trust in Jesus.
Listen, you don’t mind if I testify now, do you?
I have been hungry and poor and tempted to get money any kind a way, but I had to trust Jehovah Jireh, God who is my provider. I have been depressed and anxious over many things, but I have had to trust Jehovah Shalom, God who is my peace. I have been sick in my body and tempted to give up on God, but then I remembered that God is Jehovah Raphe, the God who heals me!
Come on, somebody! I know that I am not the only one who has ever been driven out into the wilderness of life…Has anyone ever been abused and mistreated and had to trust, El Roi, the God who sees us? Has anyone here ever felt small and afraid and convinced that you just could not make it through another day and El Shaddai, God Almighty, showed up just in time!
I could go on and on because God is Good (all the time!) And all the time (God is good!) But, I got the feeling that somebody in here knows what I am talking about.
See, it is in the wilderness of life that we come face to face with our very real need for God. When we are tempted to try to go our own way, or live in our own power, or push forward by our own might, the wilderness of life encroaches upon us and we learn to sing with the ancestors, “I Need Thee! Oh, I Need Thee! Every hour I need Thee! Oh bless me now my Savior, I Come To Thee!”
Now, scripture doesn’t tell us all of the lessons that Jesus learned and affirmed out in the wilderness, it only says that when he emerged from the wilderness forty days later, he was on fire! He hit the “streets” running! He was willing and ready to carry out his God-ordained mission on the earth!
Can’t you just hear Jesus calling, “"The time is fulfilled, The kingdom of God is at hand! Repent now and believe the good news."
Oh, Glory to God in the Highest! After we go under the waters of our baptism and emerge from the wilderness experiences of our lives, we come forth ready to bear witness to the GOOD NEWS that Jesus saves and saves to the upmost!
Right now, you may be experiencing life in the wilderness. You may be feeling alone and afraid. You may be tempted by Satan and the world on every side, but do not be discouraged my friend. Hold on to God’s unchanging hand. God may not come when you want him, but God is always right on time!
God was on time, as Jesus led his disciples. God was on time, as Jesus went to the old rugged cross. God was on time, as Jesus shouted, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!” God was on time, as Jesus hung his head and died. God was on time, when they laid Jesus in the tomb. God was on time, as the disciples dispersed dismayed and depressed.
And let me tell you one more thing! MY GOD WAS ON TIME, when early one Sunday morning before the break of day, Jesus got up! He got up with all power in his hands. He got up victorious over sin, death and the grave. He got up having secured our pardon and reconciliation with God.
Now we can sing in the words of the song,
Before the throne of God Above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great High Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of my guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of Glory and of Grace,
One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
Water, Wilderness, and Witness…Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. You can purchase the book by clicking the link to the right. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
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