10/10/2010 Time after Pentecost - Lectionary 28 Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV)
One leper gives thanks to God
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."
DEVOTION
The truth is, every single day God is healing us in body, mind, and spirit. Each of us is gifted on a daily basis with blessings so great we can't possibly keep track of them all!
Unfortunately, as human beings, we often take these gifts for granted or we get so busy doing what we're "supposed to do" that we forget what we ought to do--which is to give thanks and praise to God!
In today's scripture ten lepers were healed, but only one stopped in his tracks, returned to God, and offered his worship and praise.
I'm not sure if the other 9 were ungrateful or if they were just busy trying to "show themselves to the priests" and return to society, but whatever their reasons, they forgot to thank the one who had made them whole!
Today, we are invited to remember The One who generously pours out blessings upon us each and every day! Don't walk away without saying thank you; that would be rude!
Let's pray: Good God, THANK YOU so much for all of your blessings and benefits toward me. You are so good and I truly appreciate you. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
DEVOTION--Today is Saturday Psalmody; the mediation is offered as a psalm from my heart! If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)
20 BUCKS
It really annoys me When you talk about Giving to the church It annoys me further When you speak Of the tithe Nobody actually tithes, Right?
I mean…
I give out of my abundance What you deserve The doors of MY church Stay open We pay our staff And the heat is on We even do BIG EXTRAS Like caring for the homeless And visiting the sick
So, why are you getting On me about my 3%? 3% of my income is a RATHER LARGE SUM If I do say so myself
I see you commending that Stupid little widow; She put two pennies in the plate!
Every week I put her entire monthly salary In this plate And you have never once told me GOOD JOB!
Out of my abundance I share what you deserve and what I think you really need And 20 bucks a week Ought to do it.
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
DEVOTION
Ah! Don't you feel a HALLELUJAH PRAISE spilling out of your heart when you read today's good news scripture passage!
Isn't it beyond wonderful that there is nothing that we can do to make God stop loving us and there is nothing that we can do to make God love us more?
I am so glad that God has chosen to take complete responsibility for the unconditional love part of our relationship! Although I sin and fall short of God's glory, God still loves me. Although I sin and fail to love God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, God still loves me. Although I sin and fail to love God's children, God still loves me.
I have found that I can't out sin, out fox, or out run the love of God revealed to me in Christ Jesus--and neither can you!
No matter where we go, God's love will meet us. No matter how much we fail, God's love will still sustain us in the hug and smile of God.
It is Jesus, who has chosen to love us--living, dying, and living again in victory, interceding always on our behalf, ever our friend and our brother!
Because Jesus lives, we can face all of our tomorrows secure in the promise that, "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord"
HALLELUJAH!
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta
Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
SERMON
I’m going to be extremely honest. After reading the Gospel for this week, I actually asked God, “Where is the good news?”
It seems we’ve been preaching very, very challenging scriptures for the last several weeks from the Gospel according to St. Luke. First, we started with Jesus’ words, “I have come not to bring peace, but a sword.” Then we went to “how dare you heal on the Sabbath!” Then we read when you give a banquet invite all of the poor, crippled, lame, and blind, instead of your friends and finally today we hear that in order to be Jesus’ disciples we must hate our fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, sisters, and life itself!
Good grief!
It’s enough to make a pastor’s head swim…It’s enough to make any Christian’s head swim. Yet these are the recorded words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
As Christians, we are called to wrestle with Jesus’ hard sayings as recorded in scripture. After all, we know and believe with all of our hearts that salvation is the free gift of God which comes to us by faith alone, grace alone, and Christ alone!
Yet, with all this knowledge, I still find myself puzzled by Jesus’ statement, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
These words are strong statements which cause us to recognize that while salvation is free, discipleship is not. Discipleship is the way we walk out our salvation on the earth, before we get to heaven. Therefore, discipleship is not free, neither is it cheap. It is costly!
Discipleship is about earthly relationship and anyone who has ever been in a love relationship can tell you that love is messy, it’s costly, and it demands great sacrifice.
We are in a covenant relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. God gave His only begotten to make atonement for our sin and gift us with eternal life and in response we take up the cross daily, following Jesus wherever he may lead us, offering our all in service to our King.
We do not work in exchange for our salvation, rather we do good works in response to God’s great love.
So, exactly what does it mean to take up our cross and follow Jesus? What is required of us as disciples of Christ? Well, in today’s gospel we find that the first requirement is that we hate our family and ourselves.
Now that just sounds ridiculous coming from the King of Love, doesn’t it? Why on earth would he call us to hate anybody? Obviously, in this sentence hate does not mean to “dislike intensely.” After all, we know that Jesus affirmed the commandments to honor your father and mother and not commit adultery. Furthermore, it is clear that Jesus loved children! Let us remember, it was he who first said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven!”
So, we simply cannot understand Jesus’ words to mean that we should actually hate our family members and ourselves.
So, what does he mean? Well, we find a parallel version of this hard-saying in Matthew who records Jesus words as, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
Here it is clear that what Jesus is requiring is absolute and single-minded steadfastness, loyalty, devotion, and allegiance to Him. It is a call to remember that when we become followers of Jesus, our relationship with God must necessarily become our first priority.
I find that I am okay with this demand on my life because I have learned that when I am right with God, God helps me to be right with others. I am a better wife, when I put God first. I am a better mother, when I put God first. I am a better sister, when I put God first.
But, I cannot be for those whom I love, all that I want to be, and ought to be, until I give God first place in my life…
Likewise, I have learned that just as no person should come before my love relationship with God, no thing should either…
Being a disciple of Jesus means that we are required to return all that we have and all that we love to God. Nothing belongs to us any longer. It is all given to us by God, in trust, and we are but stewards over all of the many gifts that God has entrusted into our care.
What a strange notion! For here in America we are carefully taught that if we work hard, earn the money, and buy something--it is ours! But, when we elect to be followers of Jesus, we make the costly decision to own nothing and to give everything away for the sake of the cross!
This is why Jesus said, “None of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.” While I do not believe that this statement is a call to live as destitute, homeless, beggars, I do believe that we should always remember that when God has need of “our stuff” for Kingdom work, we should joyfully, liberally, and generously give to God in support of the work of Love on the Earth.
Wow! To be a disciple is a costly calling, isn’t it? It seems that the closer Jesus got to Jerusalem and to his death the more bluntly he began to talk about the costs of following him. And, O my goodness, was he ever right!
For on this side of the cross, we know that to be a disciple means that perhaps there will be friction in our families as non-Christian and Christian family members strive to share the same home. To be a disciple means that perhaps our teenage children won’t be pleased with us when we insist that they come to confirmation classes and attend worship on Sunday morning. To be a disciple means that perhaps I won’t go on vacation this year, because I am committed to tithing no matter what is happening to the economy. To be a disciple may mean for some, that they will give their very lives as martyrs for the sake of Christ. And to be a disciple means that perhaps I am going to have to let go of some of my hopes, dreams, and aspirations, in order to do the will of God on earth until Jesus comes again from heaven!
My Lord!
The call to hate father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and life itself is a reminder that God demands--and deserves--first place in our lives. The call to take up the cross and follow Jesus is a reminder that God gets to lead and guide the direction of our lives in accordance with God’s will. And the call to give up all of our possessions is a reminder that all that we have belongs to God and we are but stewards of God’s awesome creation.
Discipleship is costly my friends! But the rewards are infinite! As we put God first our families become full of love and laughter. As we follow Jesus we get to bear witness to His teaching and healing ministries in the lives of others. And as we offer all that we have in time, talent, and treasure to God, we get to see God multiply our meager offerings in such a way that all of God’s children are fed…
What joy! What wonder!
It is an awesome privilege to know that not only am I a child of God, but I am also a disciple of Jesus. And as a disciple, I’ve counted the cost and I have determined that the investment is worth the risk and the returns are immeasurable…
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen…
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved.
Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
DEVOTION
Today I am reminded of the importance of doing all for Christ!
Indeed, it is vanity to work 24/7/365, and have nothing to show for it but a pile of money we can't take with us after we die.
Whilst worldly goods are fine, what is better is a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, who makes all of our work service unto the Kingdom of Love.
We all have hopes, dreams, plans, and goals. But unless the Lord opens the door to our good success, no true good will come of them. We pray, "THY WILL be done on Earth, as it is in heaven..." but all too often we "kick down the doors" of life, instead of waiting for God to open them.
We can be a stubborn bunch! We want, what we want, when we want it! We don't want to wait on God's will. We don't want to wait on God's timing. We don't want to wait period!
So we plow ahead, without prayer, wisdom, or guidance from Spirit and end up in a mess of epic proportions! It is then that we remember to call out to God, seeking rescue. If only we had called out to God, before we set the plans in motion in the first place!
Today's good news is that God has a good plan for our lives not to harm us, but to give us a future and a hope. God wants to give us good things and great relationships with those who love us. It is up to us to trust God and to wait on the manifestation of God's good will for our lives.
Are you willing to wait on Jesus today? If so, please pray with me.
God and gracious God, i don't mind waiting on you to build the "house" of my life. I wait expectantly on you. I know that you have good plans for me and I pray that I will have the wisdom to allow your will to manifest in my life. As I wait, I pray, and as I pray I work, sharing the good news that Jesus lived, died, and rose again because you love us and determined to forgive our sin and gift us with eternal life! I love you and I pledge to share our love with others. I pray this in Your Name, Amen.
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta
*This is one of my favorite songs! Juanita Bynum exhorts us 0-5:00; then sings "I Don't Mind Waiting" 5:00-10:00. This will bless your soul.
Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. I know, O Lord, that your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness you have humbled me. Let your steadfast love become my comfort according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. Let the arrogant be put to shame, because they have subverted me with guile; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. Let those who fear you turn to me, so that they may know your decrees. May my heart be blameless in your statutes, so that I may not be put to shame.
DEVOTION
Let your steadfast love become my comfort according to your promise to your servant.
Ah! No matter what trials, tribulations, or trouble may befall you today, of this you can be sure, God loves you more than you think, hope, or imagine!
I love that God's love toward us is steadfast; this means that it is sure,dependable,reliable,constant,unwavering, immovable, abounding, never-giving up, never giving in, and fixed permanently in place...
No matter how much we mess up, fail, embarrass ourselves, humiliate others, or fall short of God's glory, God's steadfast love holds us tight.
Because we are held so tightly in the heart of God, we are comforted. We know that we can't out sin, out run, or out fox God's love revealed to us in Christ Jesus.
In the midst of our trouble, we know that we are secure. We know that God is holding us tight. We know that God will never let us go!
Let me tell you a secret--there were sad and ugly days in my life when I ASKED God to let me go. I didn't think that I wanted God's love anymore--I was angry, sad, disappointed, and aggrieved. But, even when I imagined (falsely) that I wanted God to let me go, God would not do it. God just gathered me close, enveloped me in love, and carried me, offering me comfort, until I was again able to walk by faith.
See, God is not afraid of us. God is not afraid of our sin. God already conquered sin, death, AND the grave when Love allowed Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.
Because God is unafraid, God's steadfast love is a comfort to us. Because God's love is unrelenting, all that is required is for us to fall into the safety net of God's grace.
As we fall into God's Amazing Grace, putting all of our hope in Jesus, we are gently cradled into eternity. We have NO-thing to fear, for God is with us, wherever we may go.
Won't you trust the steadfast love of God to be your comfort today?
Let us pray:
Loving God, thank you that your steadfast love is my comfort. I am so sorry for the many times I have rejected your love and turned away from your statutes. Please forgive me. Today, I am putting all of my hope in Jesus, believing that he lived, died, and rose again on the third day to forgive my sin and gift me with eternal life. Please help me to fall into your Amazing Grace and to share your love with others. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today you are a Christian! I would be so honored if you would take a moment to let me know that you put all of your hope in Jesus today by clicking YES in the upper right hand corner of this blog in answer to the question, "Did you put all of your hope in Jesus today?"
I also pray that you will tell a Christian friend about your decision, so that s/he can help you find a good Bible believing church to attend where you can be baptized and grow in your faith.
Congratulations! Your salvation is our good news. Please share the good news with someone today!
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be done to you." And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, "See that no one knows of this." But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.
After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, "Never has anything like this been seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons."
DEVOTION--Today is Saturday Psalmody; the mediation is offered as a psalm from my heart! If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)
THAT AIN'T COOL...
Why ya gotta lie on me sayin' I serve the demon king When I'm takin' down his kingdom brick by brick Why you cain't see what the blind can see Why you cain't hear what the deaf can hear Why you hatin' on a brother just doin' the right thing followin' Daddy's orders... You're hatin' because you're jealous The folks are talkin' and it ain't about you In three days you'll learn I am King of Kings Lord of Lord Messiah Savior and Friend But today You called me out of my name And that ain't cool...
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side - let Israel now say - if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters.
Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
DEVOTION
"Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth."
Ah! Lately I have been struck by how much we really need the Lord.
This reminder has come to me vividly as I have watched the news on TV and read it on the Internet. As I have grieved earthquakes in Haiti, oil spills in The Gulf, sinkholes in Guatemala, and the recent announcement of the separation of a very public couple, I have been praying constantly--WE NEED THEE LORD!
Tragedy is a part of the human experience. Sadness befalls us all--Babies die, houses foreclose, war erupts, cancer happens, etc...but in the midst of it all, God is always with us.
I recently told a family member going through a terrible trial that I don't know many things, but this one thing I know. When we are suffering God will either lift us out of it, or get down in it with us!
Hallelujah!
God does not leave us, nor forsake us. God does not abandon us to our sin, the sin of others, or the whimsy of the universe. Rather, God walks with us, or carries us when necessary, as we make our way along the path of Life.
I am so glad that God proved God's willingness to get down into our trouble with us when Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.
There is no greater comfort during times of trial and tribulation than to know that God is IMMANUEL (God with us).
Today, won't you stretch out your hand to Jesus? He will help, comfort, and defend you in your darkest hour.
Let us pray: God, help! Hurry to my aid! I am in trouble and I am sinking and I need you now! Thank you that I can trust you to save me! Blessed be Your Name! Amen.
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
DEVOTION
Today is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a day set aside to remember all of those people, in military service, who gave their lives for the cause of freedom and to secure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all of God's children.
After reading Mary's Song of Praise, I was struck by the words, "Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed..."
Indeed, we do call Mary "blessed," as we remember her as the mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave his life in service to humanity in order to attain the forgiveness of our sin, reconciliation with God and our eternal life.
On this Memorial Day, we rightly remember those people who died to defend our country; but, let us also remember The One who truly made the ultimate sacrifice in order to defend all of humanity from the power of sin, death, and the grave--His Name is JESUS!
When Elizabeth heard Mary at her door, she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Once filled, she correctly bore witness to The Truth that Jesus is Lord.
On this day, I pray that we too will be filled with the Holy Spirit and that we will offer comfort those who mourn the loss of a beloved son, daughter, father, mother, sister, brother, or friend who died in combat. Let us share the sure and certain good news message that God offers blessing, comfort, and peace to all who mourn, as well as the blessed assurance that when we are in Christ, eternity awaits us.
Let us pray:
Dear God, thank you so much for all of those people who are peace makers and peace keepers throughout the earth. Please protect those who seek a just peace for all of your children and may the day soon arrive when the work of soldiers will no longer be necessary and the fullness of the angels' prophesy on Jesus' birthday will become manifest--PEACE ON EARTH AND GOOD WILL TOWARD ALL PEOPLE. We pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta
Moses did everything just as the Lord had commanded him. In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was set up. Moses set up the tabernacle; he laid its bases, and set up its frames, and put in its poles, and raised up its pillars; and he spread the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent over it; as the Lord had commanded Moses. He took the covenant and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark, and set the mercy seat above the ark; and he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the curtain for screening, and screened the ark of the covenant; as the Lord had commanded Moses. He put the table in the tent of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the curtain, and set the bread in order on it before the Lord; as the Lord had commanded Moses. He put the lampstand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle, and set up the lamps before the Lord; as the Lord had commanded Moses. He put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the curtain, and offered fragrant incense on it; as the Lord had commanded Moses. He also put in place the screen for the entrance of the tabernacle. He set the altar of burnt offering at the entrance of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the grain offering as the Lord had commanded Moses. He set the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it for washing, with which Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet. When they went into the tent of meeting, and when they approached the altar, they washed; as the Lord had commanded Moses. He set up the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and put up the screen at the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Whenever the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out on each stage of their journey; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, before the eyes of all the house of Israel at each stage of their journey.
DEVOTION
I am entranced by the words, "Moses did everything just as the Lord had commanded him."
Now that's RADICAL obedience!
I wish I could say that I do everything just as the Lord commands, but I do not. Unfortunately, like all human beings, I am prone to sin and fall short of the glory of God.
I fail to love God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, and I fail to love my neighbors as myself. Furthermore, sometimes I fail by what I do (shame on me) and sometimes I fail by what I don't do (equally shameful when I know better).
I thank God for Jesus who is the atonement for sin and the means by which we are reconciled with God and inherit eternal life.
I know I'm not good enough to get into heaven; thank God my salvation is not dependent upon my behavior. Rather, it is wholly dependent on the behavior, work, and LOVE of Jesus who chose to go the cross for me. Jesus, is the only one, who did everything just as the Lord commanded, every day of his earthly and heavenly life!
Now, ainta that good news?!
Let us pray:
Lord, I confess my sin today and ask for your forgiveness. Please help me to do everything as you command to the best of my ability so that I can experience your glory, filling the tabernacle of my heart. Please be for me a cloud by day and a fire by night, that I may follow you wherever you may lead. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta
Some Benjaminites and Judahites came to the stronghold to David. David went out to meet them and said to them, "If you have come to me in friendship, to help me, then my heart will be knit to you; but if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, though my hands have done no wrong, then may the God of our ancestors see and give judgment." Then the spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said, "We are yours, O David; and with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to the one who helps you! For your God is the one who helps you." Then David received them, and made them officers of his troops.
Some of the Manassites deserted to David when he came with the Philistines for the battle against Saul. (Yet he did not help them, for the rulers of the Philistines took counsel and sent him away, saying, "He will desert to his master Saul at the cost of our heads.") As he went to Ziklag these Manassites deserted to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, chiefs of the thousands in Manasseh. They helped David against the band of raiders, for they were all warriors and commanders in the army. Indeed from day to day people kept coming to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God.
DEVOTION
Today's scripture puts me in mind of the Bible verse, "If God be for you, who can be against you?" (Romans 8:31)
In David's day he needed a mighty army of warriors. In our day, God needs a mighty army, but not one armed with swords and shield, but with love, joy, peace, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Just as Amasai and his men came to David pledging their allegiance, so too do we come to God with the promise to love God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
The King of Love, sends us out to do battle with the forces of darkness--hatred, malice, fear. And we are not powerless against these adversaries, for Jesus lives inside of us and His Light overcomes the darkness (every single time).
Today, I pray that you will allow yourself to be used by God to show forth Love on this day. As you feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, love the unlovable, and forgive the unforgivable, God's Kingdom will come on earth as it is in Heaven.
I can't wait for that glad and glorious day when Jesus returns in all of His glory. But, in the meantime, we are called to be in service to the Kingdom of Love, as we share the good news that Jesus saves and He saves to the utmost!
In Christ, we will always be victorious!
Praise be to God!
Let us pray: Thank you God that we are able to overcome the darkness with your Light. Help us to love and serve others, as you have loved and served us. As we do, please advance your Kingdom until you come again. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL
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. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 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. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" 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." For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."
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? You call me Teacher and Lord -- and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. ...
"Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 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.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
SERMON
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to foot washing over the last two weeks. As I have been exploring this practice with other Christians, I have been surprised to learn that many people do not understand this ancient, holy, and humble practice.
Almost two thousand years ago Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. But, today, in two thousand and ten, if you ask most Christians about foot-washing they say things like, “That’s gross! I don’t want anyone to touch my feet! I’m ticklish! That’s just weird.”
In some ways we are correct. Especially in Jesus’ day, foot-washing was considered gross. It was a task usually relegated to one of the lowest ranking servants in the house because people who had travelled in sandals over dusty and sandy roads covered in animal manure, had pretty dirty feet!
But, although the servant’s job was not coveted, the one who honored his/her guests with a foot-washing was considered a most outstanding host! Foot-washing was the first thing done upon entering a home and was a means of letting a guest know that they were welcome and honored in that place.
Having said all of this, we can now understand why it was no small thing that Jesus chose to wash his disciples’ feet! After all, we know that the disciples typically jockeyed to ascertain who was the greatest amongst them, not the least!
And yet, when Jesus got up from the table, wrapped a towel around himself, dropped to his knees, and began to wash his disciples feet, I am sure that they experienced a profound paradigm shift!
How could it be possible that their leader and teacher would stoop so low as to wash their dirty feet? Why would it be that he would act like a servant when there were surely others who could have—and should have--done the job? What was Jesus trying to prove after all was said and done?
Well, Peter, never one to keep any thought to himself, voiced the many questions that must have been going through everyone’s head. He objected to Jesus’ desire to wash his feet, but was rebuked when Jesus said, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand…” and then again later Jesus said, “unless I wash you, you have no share with me.”
Well, today, I recognize that most of us have the same questions and concerns that Peter did. And in response I can imagine Jesus saying to us today, “I am your Teacher and your Lord, but I am also your servant. Follow my example, by loving and serving others. You will be blessed, when you do so.”
What a radical response! Jesus teaches that in order to be truly blessed, we must pour out our lives in love and service to others. We must jockey, not to be the greatest, but to be the least. We must seek not to rule, but to serve.
Now, I am aware of how counter-cultural this message truly is. After all, we are taught to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, not to worry about stepping on the little guy on our way to the top, to seek to be Americas Idol, and to boldly answer in the affirmative when asked, “Who wants to be a millionaire?”
We know that we have arrived when we have someone to drive our cars, clean our houses, nanny our children, and/or carry our umbrella on a hot summer’s day.
But, Jesus says to us on this night, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
When I was engaged to be married, Christopher and I read a book together entitled, “Love is a Decision.” The central thesis of the book is that love is not a feeling, it is an action. Love is a verb. It is what you DO for another person.”
That thesis changed my life because in summary I learned that it doesn’t matter how I feel from day to day--feelings change and are variable based on my circumstances. But, if love is an action—whether or not I feel love--I can ACT LOVE until my feelings follow.
Rick Warren, the author of “A Purpose Driven Life,” says something similar. He asked, “How do you spell love? T-I-M-E.”
Again, we hear the injunction to remember that love is what you do. It is how you choose to invest your precious time.
And let me say this. I notice that Jesus chose to invest his time in humble acts of service! Foot-washing was as humble an act of love and service as the disciples could imagine Jesus undertaking, until the next day when he gave his life upon the cross.
In less than 24-hours Jesus showed his disciples—past and present—the truest meaning of love and service. He washed feet, served Holy Communion, and then died on an old rugged cross to make atonement for our sin and gift us with eternal life.
See, love ought to cost us something, friends! Service ought to beckon us to a place of greatest humility!
If all of the good deeds we accomplish offer us accolades, praise, and articles in the St. Cloud Times, we are doing something wrong.
1 Corinthians 13 says that love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
On this humble evening called Maundy Thursday, I am convicted by the words, “Love is not self-seeking.”
And I am compelled to ask myself the questions, “When was the last time that love cost me something? When was the last time I paid in blood, sweat and tears in order to bring service to another? Am I more comfortable offering the poor and oppressed charity rather than relationship? And when was the last time that I was made uncomfortable and/or truly inconvenienced as I followed Jesus’ commandment to “love one another as I have loved you.”?
I am embarrassed to confess to you on this day that it has been a rare occasion when I have allowed love and service to lead me to a cross. Rather--I find that like most of us--I give out of my wealth and out of my abundance, which costs me nothing, rather than from a place of true sacrifice which would cost me much.
On this night, it is my fervent prayer, that all of us will hear and heed Jesus’ heartfelt call to a life of love and service that costs us something. It is my prayer that like Jesus—we will extend a warm welcome and radical hospitality to all people, offering love and service without counting the cost. And it is my prayer that as we die to ourselves, we will be raised to new life in Christ.
Hear ye the words of Jesus, By this everyone will know that you are my disciples…if you have love for one another.”
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen…
Let us pray:
Holy God, thank you for Jesus' new commandment to love one another. In a world so full of division and hate, I am blessed by your reminder to LOVE. I truly want to follow Jesus' example of love and service. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I will humbly meet the needs of others, as I lead them to Jesus. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Now, the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you: you shall deny yourselves and present the Lord's offering by fire; and you shall do no work during that entire day; for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the Lord your God. For anyone who does not practice self-denial during that entire day shall be cut off from the people. And anyone who does any work during that entire day, such a one I will destroy from the midst of the people. You shall do no work: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your settlements. It shall be to you a sabbath of complete rest, and you shall deny yourselves; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening you shall keep your sabbath.
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the people of Israel, saying: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month, and lasting seven days, there shall be the festival of booths to the Lord. The first day shall be a holy convocation; you shall not work at your occupations. Seven days you shall present the Lord's offerings by fire; on the eighth day you shall observe a holy convocation and present the Lord's offerings by fire; it is a solemn assembly; you shall not work at your occupations.
These are the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you shall celebrate as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the Lord offerings by fire -- burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day -- apart from the sabbaths of the Lord, and apart from your gifts, and apart from all your votive offerings, and apart from all your freewill offerings, which you give to the Lord.
Now, the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you shall keep the festival of the Lord, lasting seven days; a complete rest on the first day, and a complete rest on the eighth day. On the first day you shall take the fruit of majestic trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. You shall keep it as a festival to the Lord seven days in the year; you shall keep it in the seventh month as a statute forever throughout your generations.
DEVOTION
Today's devotion locates us squarely in the season of Lent. During this time of year, Christians fast, pray, and confess our sin to God.
In the Leviticus reading, we see that God also pairs sabbath rest with confession. It is not until we slow down from all the busyness of life that we are able to really connect with The Divine.
As we rest into quietude, we hear Spirit bringing to remembrance the many ways in which we have failed to love God with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and strength and loved our neighbors as ourselves.
It is when we allow Spirit to convict us that we are most able to truthfully confess our sin and receive God's forgiveness.
I am so glad that God's Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. I am also happy-glad that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected on the third day, just as he promised that he would!
Because of Jesus' once and for all atonement for sin, God's forgiveness is always readily available.
Won't you make some time today to get quiet with God, so that you can get right with God too?
Let's pray:
Holy One, thank you for the call to get still and quiet in your presence. I confess that I have been too busy lately. I have prioritized things and people above my relationship with you. Please help me to slow down, confess my sin, and receive your forgiveness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
DEVOTION--Today is Saturday Psalmody; the mediation is offered as a psalm from my heart! If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)
Why Are You Searching?
All Wise One
Often I have searched for you
When you were not lost
It was me
I was lost
I was confused
I was afraid
I ran around in circles
Telling myself I needed to "find" you
If only you had not run off
If only you had not abandoned me
If only you had not determined
to stay behind
when I was ready to go ahead
I got down the road a bit
and I realized...
Where is Jesus in all of this?
Where is his voice?
His laughter?
His counsel?
Where did he go?
And so I started searching
Looking
Asking
Seeking
Knocking
And then I found you.
Right where you had always been
inside the door of my heart.
Why were you looking for me?
I am
that I am
and as I have always been
and will always be
in God's House
Heart
and Will
right with you
never leaving you
never forsaking you
God with you
You are never
ALONE.
THE INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
