Scripture verses that caught my attention today: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 Jabez was honored more than his brothers; and his mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10 Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!” And God granted what he asked.
Observation: Though popular, this is not the only prayer in the Bible and so it may not be wise to pattern our prayers completely after it.
Application: Several years ago there was a popular book called “The Prayer of Jabez.” Few had even heard of Jabez before that and it’s little wonder—this is these are the only verses where Jabez (the person) is mentioned in the Bible (Jabez, the town, is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2). At any rate, the gist of the book was that we shouldn’t be afraid to pray for ourselves first. Okay…perhaps. Jesus did say at one point “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). But those are a couple of great big IF’s! More telling, I think, is the Lord’s prayer. It’s been said that the Lord’s prayer includes seven petitions or requests. Here they are:
1 Hallowed (Holy) be your name
2 Your kingdom come
3 Your will be done on earth as in heaven
4 Give us today our daily bread
5 Forgive us our sins and we forgive those who sin against us
6 Save us from the time of trial (or “lead us not into temptation)
7 Deliver us from evil
It’s interesting to note that the first three petitions deal with requests for Spiritual things and the last three requests deal with requests for protection from evil things. Only one petition, the one right in the middle, asks for anything in this life and it’s not about enlarging borders and the like but simply for the daily necessities.
I have nothing against Jabez and his prayer or anything against the author of the book that bears his name. We are told that God answered Jabez’s prayer. So be it; that’s God’s prerogative. But I do think the prayer is over-rated. And I think that when we do abide in Jesus and his words abide in us, the nature of our prayers change. So do our ambitions.
Prayer: Lord, help us to be more like you, less like those who are not like you, and provide us with what we really need to carry on in this world in your name. Amen.
(Readings today included: 1 Samuel 14, 1 Chronicles 4, 2 Corinthians 13)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Courage and the dangers of personal pride
Scripture passage that caught my attention today: 1 Samuel 11:6-7 And the spirit of God came upon Saul in power when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. 7 He took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!” Then the dread of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out as one.
Observation: Saul got riled up and rallied the people. It was a bad day for a couple of oxen, however.
Application: I have mixed feelings about this passage. On the one hand it is inspiring. Saul demonstrated courage and strength—qualities around which the people were able to rally. And in this case it was clear that the opposing forces were planning a despicable deed. But I also wonder how many times throughout history (even in Biblical times) the common people have been placed at risk due to the whim of a prideful leader.
Prayer: Lord, help all leaders to discern the difference between an authentic cause and a personal pride gone awry. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture readings today included: 1 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 1, 1 Corinthians 11)
Observation: Saul got riled up and rallied the people. It was a bad day for a couple of oxen, however.
Application: I have mixed feelings about this passage. On the one hand it is inspiring. Saul demonstrated courage and strength—qualities around which the people were able to rally. And in this case it was clear that the opposing forces were planning a despicable deed. But I also wonder how many times throughout history (even in Biblical times) the common people have been placed at risk due to the whim of a prideful leader.
Prayer: Lord, help all leaders to discern the difference between an authentic cause and a personal pride gone awry. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture readings today included: 1 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 1, 1 Corinthians 11)
Friday, April 8, 2011
Toward Completion
Scripture verses that caught my attention today: 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— 11 now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means.
Observation: It’s appropriate for well-placed eagerness to be matched with completion.
Application: The number of unfinished projects in my world is, to put it in a Biblical term, legion; there are probably too many to count. On my desk at church are folders upon folders of projects that are in various states of progress. At home I merely need to look in almost any room in the house--or in any direction around the farm—to see myriads of things that could or should be done or finished.
It’s not that I necessarily like it this way—I don’t. But also, once the list gets about so long, a person sort of learns to do what one can in the time available and let the rest go until either more discretionary time is available (not likely) or something moves it higher up the priority list. Yet it’s also true that, sometimes, things that are important to me just slip through the cracks. They blend in with all the other things yet undone and disappear into form of abyss, never to be seen again until perhaps it’s too late. And in those cases there is more than just the feeling of being overwhelmed—there is the feeling of genuine regret the comes with the knowledge that it didn’t have to be that way.
Sometimes avoiding such unfortunate circumstances involves a little planning. That’s what Paul offers to the Corinthians. Their interest in helping those less fortunate was noble and appropriate, but to accomplish that goal they would need to save bits and pieces of it starting now and not stopping until the day of the collection. Otherwise they would be caught empty-handed—and in an embarrassing way.
Prayer: Lord, help us to faithfully and regularly do the little things on a daily or weekly basis that enable us to complete those things that are important to your world and to our own physical, emotional, and spiritual health. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: 1 Samuel 3-5, Psalm 77, and 2 Corinthians 8)
Observation: It’s appropriate for well-placed eagerness to be matched with completion.
Application: The number of unfinished projects in my world is, to put it in a Biblical term, legion; there are probably too many to count. On my desk at church are folders upon folders of projects that are in various states of progress. At home I merely need to look in almost any room in the house--or in any direction around the farm—to see myriads of things that could or should be done or finished.
It’s not that I necessarily like it this way—I don’t. But also, once the list gets about so long, a person sort of learns to do what one can in the time available and let the rest go until either more discretionary time is available (not likely) or something moves it higher up the priority list. Yet it’s also true that, sometimes, things that are important to me just slip through the cracks. They blend in with all the other things yet undone and disappear into form of abyss, never to be seen again until perhaps it’s too late. And in those cases there is more than just the feeling of being overwhelmed—there is the feeling of genuine regret the comes with the knowledge that it didn’t have to be that way.
Sometimes avoiding such unfortunate circumstances involves a little planning. That’s what Paul offers to the Corinthians. Their interest in helping those less fortunate was noble and appropriate, but to accomplish that goal they would need to save bits and pieces of it starting now and not stopping until the day of the collection. Otherwise they would be caught empty-handed—and in an embarrassing way.
Prayer: Lord, help us to faithfully and regularly do the little things on a daily or weekly basis that enable us to complete those things that are important to your world and to our own physical, emotional, and spiritual health. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: 1 Samuel 3-5, Psalm 77, and 2 Corinthians 8)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The message is "Entrusted," not "Encrypted"
Scripture Verse that caught my attention today: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.
Observation: This is one of those especially hopeful passages in Scripture.
Application: Christians are called to share God’s message of reconciliation. In fact, that message has been “entrusted” to us for that very purpose. For some reason, however, we often treat it more like an "encrypted" message, the likes of which only the most seasoned insider would ever understand.
I strikes me that this is pretty much opposite the experience of Jesus. He actually was the message of reconciliation in and of himself, yet it was the outsiders who most readily grasped what he had to share while the insiders struggled to get a clue.
I think it's time to endeavor to break all encryptions related to the reconciling work that God has done and is doing through Christ. It won't be easy, but that's what we've been entrusted to do.
Prayer: Lord, help us to take to heart what you’ve already done and to respond with genuine thanksgivng. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Ruth 1-2, Psalms 53 & 61, and 2 Corinthians 5)
Observation: This is one of those especially hopeful passages in Scripture.
Application: Christians are called to share God’s message of reconciliation. In fact, that message has been “entrusted” to us for that very purpose. For some reason, however, we often treat it more like an "encrypted" message, the likes of which only the most seasoned insider would ever understand.
I strikes me that this is pretty much opposite the experience of Jesus. He actually was the message of reconciliation in and of himself, yet it was the outsiders who most readily grasped what he had to share while the insiders struggled to get a clue.
I think it's time to endeavor to break all encryptions related to the reconciling work that God has done and is doing through Christ. It won't be easy, but that's what we've been entrusted to do.
Prayer: Lord, help us to take to heart what you’ve already done and to respond with genuine thanksgivng. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Ruth 1-2, Psalms 53 & 61, and 2 Corinthians 5)
Monday, April 4, 2011
Taking to Heart the Value We have Today
Scripture verse that caught my attention today: 2 Corinthians 4:5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.
Observation: This whole chapter is one of my favorites in the Bible. And this verse sheds light on how Paul understood himself in relation to God.
Application: My mind continues to be occupied today with ponderings related to the following quote that I read yesterday: “I guess I believe in the church of personal responsibility. So here’s this week’s Sunday morning gospel.” From there the author went on to list two or three motivational quotes.
I have deep respect for the person who wrote the quote above, which may explain why I’m so especially disturbed by it. Although I agree that many of us do not take enough personal responsibility for our life and circumstances, to actually place one’s ultimate hope in personal responsibility concerns me because it is not, well, healthy. Accomplishment may bring a sense of satisfaction, but it cannot bring true peace.
That’s why I love this chapter of 2 Corinthians. Read the whole thing if you can. There’s plenty of motivation within it, plenty of encouragement to not be discouraged by various obstacles. Yet the heart of the matter is about understanding ourselves in relation to someone far greater than ourselves.
The crucified and risen Christ has had mercy upon us. We will never have any more or less value in the eyes of Christ than we do at this very moment. To recognize that fact by faith is to have peace…and freedom…and to even be inspired to want to do more, not because we have to but (if such is the case) because we can.
Whatever hope and peace I’ve found (and continue to find by the grace of God, sometimes in spite of myself!) is not constrained by my own limited abilities for accomplishment and reason. If there's a reason to 'never, ever, ever give up,' it's because Christ Jesus has never, ever, ever, given up on us. And it is why I think it makes a lot of sense to find our own ways to, like Paul, proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord and to understand ourselves as servants/slaves for Jesus’ sake.
It doesn't have to be done with great bravado or even a ton of overly religious language. In fact, I find such a tact largely counter productive. Simple, faithful, consistent, and humble service to others (whether they have faith or no faith) is more in keeping with the One we claim to proclaim.
Prayer: Lord, be with any of us who sincerely want to be more efficient and/or productive and yet help us place our true hope in you--where such hope can ultimately be found. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included Judges 19-21 and 2 Corinthians 4)
Observation: This whole chapter is one of my favorites in the Bible. And this verse sheds light on how Paul understood himself in relation to God.
Application: My mind continues to be occupied today with ponderings related to the following quote that I read yesterday: “I guess I believe in the church of personal responsibility. So here’s this week’s Sunday morning gospel.” From there the author went on to list two or three motivational quotes.
I have deep respect for the person who wrote the quote above, which may explain why I’m so especially disturbed by it. Although I agree that many of us do not take enough personal responsibility for our life and circumstances, to actually place one’s ultimate hope in personal responsibility concerns me because it is not, well, healthy. Accomplishment may bring a sense of satisfaction, but it cannot bring true peace.
That’s why I love this chapter of 2 Corinthians. Read the whole thing if you can. There’s plenty of motivation within it, plenty of encouragement to not be discouraged by various obstacles. Yet the heart of the matter is about understanding ourselves in relation to someone far greater than ourselves.
The crucified and risen Christ has had mercy upon us. We will never have any more or less value in the eyes of Christ than we do at this very moment. To recognize that fact by faith is to have peace…and freedom…and to even be inspired to want to do more, not because we have to but (if such is the case) because we can.
Whatever hope and peace I’ve found (and continue to find by the grace of God, sometimes in spite of myself!) is not constrained by my own limited abilities for accomplishment and reason. If there's a reason to 'never, ever, ever give up,' it's because Christ Jesus has never, ever, ever, given up on us. And it is why I think it makes a lot of sense to find our own ways to, like Paul, proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord and to understand ourselves as servants/slaves for Jesus’ sake.
It doesn't have to be done with great bravado or even a ton of overly religious language. In fact, I find such a tact largely counter productive. Simple, faithful, consistent, and humble service to others (whether they have faith or no faith) is more in keeping with the One we claim to proclaim.
Prayer: Lord, be with any of us who sincerely want to be more efficient and/or productive and yet help us place our true hope in you--where such hope can ultimately be found. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included Judges 19-21 and 2 Corinthians 4)
Saturday, April 2, 2011
The Kinds of People God Uses
Scripture passage that caught my attention today: Judges 13:24 The woman bore a son, and named him Samson. The boy grew, and the LORD blessed him.
Observation: God uses all kinds of people. Judges 13-16 reads quickly because, once one gets through the introductory part of chapter 13, the story of Samson really takes off. But it’s sort of crazy too. Samson is proclaimed to be a servant of God even before his birth, but he is a bit of a mischief maker and has horrible taste in women to boot. He left his first wife (who was actually from the opposing side and had betrayed him by telling his riddle secret), slept with a prostitute, and then married the infamous Delilah who also betrayed his secret. After he lost the bet related to his first riddle, rather than make the pay-off out of his own wares, he killed thirty people and took it from them. He would lie to his wife about what made him strong, but then again, what kind of spouse is always trying to ruin the other? Samson Judged Israel for 20 years and died in one final act of revenge against the Philistines whom we are told in 13:1 the Lord had put over Israel because Israel had done evil in the sight of the Lord.
Application: Exactly what kind of person does the Lord use? Answer, almost any kind of person.
For all the talk of Samson not drinking and being destined by God as a servant and the like, he still wouldn’t pass many modern morality tests. Yet the Bible understands him to be a notable Old Testament servant.
There’s no reason to praise his improprieties. Each of them brought about consequences. But none of them stopped him from ultimately being one of God’s servants.
One of the potential contenders for president in the upcoming election is Newt Gingrinch. The name doesn’t matter and I’m not for one moment suggesting that Newt in particular is or is not a good candidate. I have no idea. Nor am I suggesting that he is God’s servant. Again, I have no idea. But one often-touted drawback of his candidacy is his checkered relationship past. The story of Samson should give him some encouragement. The same goes for anyone else who has made some poor choices in life.
Prayer: Lord, sometimes it’s easy to separate people into separate people into good groups and bad groups. In reality, we are all one big group in total need of your grace and mercy and your ability to use us as we are. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Judges 13-16 and 2 Corinthians 2)
Observation: God uses all kinds of people. Judges 13-16 reads quickly because, once one gets through the introductory part of chapter 13, the story of Samson really takes off. But it’s sort of crazy too. Samson is proclaimed to be a servant of God even before his birth, but he is a bit of a mischief maker and has horrible taste in women to boot. He left his first wife (who was actually from the opposing side and had betrayed him by telling his riddle secret), slept with a prostitute, and then married the infamous Delilah who also betrayed his secret. After he lost the bet related to his first riddle, rather than make the pay-off out of his own wares, he killed thirty people and took it from them. He would lie to his wife about what made him strong, but then again, what kind of spouse is always trying to ruin the other? Samson Judged Israel for 20 years and died in one final act of revenge against the Philistines whom we are told in 13:1 the Lord had put over Israel because Israel had done evil in the sight of the Lord.
Application: Exactly what kind of person does the Lord use? Answer, almost any kind of person.
For all the talk of Samson not drinking and being destined by God as a servant and the like, he still wouldn’t pass many modern morality tests. Yet the Bible understands him to be a notable Old Testament servant.
There’s no reason to praise his improprieties. Each of them brought about consequences. But none of them stopped him from ultimately being one of God’s servants.
One of the potential contenders for president in the upcoming election is Newt Gingrinch. The name doesn’t matter and I’m not for one moment suggesting that Newt in particular is or is not a good candidate. I have no idea. Nor am I suggesting that he is God’s servant. Again, I have no idea. But one often-touted drawback of his candidacy is his checkered relationship past. The story of Samson should give him some encouragement. The same goes for anyone else who has made some poor choices in life.
Prayer: Lord, sometimes it’s easy to separate people into separate people into good groups and bad groups. In reality, we are all one big group in total need of your grace and mercy and your ability to use us as we are. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Judges 13-16 and 2 Corinthians 2)
Friday, April 1, 2011
Our Common Humanity
Scripture passage that caught my attention today: Judges 11:1-10 Now Jephthah the Gileadite, the son of a prostitute, was a mighty warrior. Gilead was the father of Jephthah. 2 Gilead’s wife also bore him sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah away, saying to him, “You shall not inherit anything in our father’s house; for you are the son of another woman.” 3 Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob. Outlaws collected around Jephthah and went raiding with him.
Judg. 11:4 After a time the Ammonites made war against Israel. 5 And when the Ammonites made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah from the land of Tob. 6 They said to Jephthah, “Come and be our commander, so that we may fight with the Ammonites.” 7 But Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Are you not the very ones who rejected me and drove me out of my father’s house? So why do you come to me now when you are in trouble?” 8 The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “Nevertheless, we have now turned back to you, so that you may go with us and fight with the Ammonites, and become head over us, over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” 9 Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me home again to fight with the Ammonites, and the LORD gives them over to me, I will be your head.” 10 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD will be witness between us; we will surely do as you say.”
Observation: Jephthah grew up ostracized, yet also developed remarkable street sense that his more privileged relatives could not match.
Application: I don’t have any one person in mind when I write this but over the years I’ve noticed that some people just have a knack for looking at things differently; they can quickly size up a situation and make you wonder why you didn’t think of that. They may or may not have ever been to college, but they’ve completed some serious life experience coursework at what is popularly known as the ‘school of hard knocks.’ As a college graduate myself, I sometimes feel stupid in their presence. Yet I’m also grateful for their presence. Clearly I share their humanity, and they mine. The great levelers in life like disease and accidents and broken relationships show no partiality. First thing ya know, we need each other or at least grow to appreciate our common gifts and fraility. That’s what Jephthah’s brothers eventually discovered about him—they needed him. And in a convoluted way, I think he needed them too.
Prayer: Lord, help us to see our common need for one another and, ultimately, our need for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture readings today included: Judges 11-12, Psalm 50, and 2 Corinthians 1)
Judg. 11:4 After a time the Ammonites made war against Israel. 5 And when the Ammonites made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah from the land of Tob. 6 They said to Jephthah, “Come and be our commander, so that we may fight with the Ammonites.” 7 But Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Are you not the very ones who rejected me and drove me out of my father’s house? So why do you come to me now when you are in trouble?” 8 The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “Nevertheless, we have now turned back to you, so that you may go with us and fight with the Ammonites, and become head over us, over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” 9 Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me home again to fight with the Ammonites, and the LORD gives them over to me, I will be your head.” 10 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD will be witness between us; we will surely do as you say.”
Observation: Jephthah grew up ostracized, yet also developed remarkable street sense that his more privileged relatives could not match.
Application: I don’t have any one person in mind when I write this but over the years I’ve noticed that some people just have a knack for looking at things differently; they can quickly size up a situation and make you wonder why you didn’t think of that. They may or may not have ever been to college, but they’ve completed some serious life experience coursework at what is popularly known as the ‘school of hard knocks.’ As a college graduate myself, I sometimes feel stupid in their presence. Yet I’m also grateful for their presence. Clearly I share their humanity, and they mine. The great levelers in life like disease and accidents and broken relationships show no partiality. First thing ya know, we need each other or at least grow to appreciate our common gifts and fraility. That’s what Jephthah’s brothers eventually discovered about him—they needed him. And in a convoluted way, I think he needed them too.
Prayer: Lord, help us to see our common need for one another and, ultimately, our need for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture readings today included: Judges 11-12, Psalm 50, and 2 Corinthians 1)
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