faith – Page 9 – Be Still…

Deuteronomy 30:1-10 – It’s Not Too Late

Notice that Moses begins this passage with the words, “In the future, when..” God knew that the people would turn from him, that they would stumble, that they would be distracted. Notice he doesn’t say “if you mess up.” What happens to people who turn their back on God and endure the curses we’ve read about? Does God shut them out completely? Forever? These verses would seem to suggest to the contrary. “If at that time you and your children return to the Lord your God, and if you obey with all your heart and all your soul all the commands I have given you today, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes. He will have mercy on you and gather you back from all the nations where he has scattered you.”

Our God gives second chances. God’s mercy is unbelievable. Even if these people walked away from God, did every despicable thing God warned would end in a curse, he would still take them back. And there’s more, God would see that they were even more prosperous than before.

Deuteronomy 13:1-18 – Don’t Be Led Astray

Read Deuteronomy 13:1-18

There are so many distractions that can keep us from God. There are also false prophets, feel good spirituality, and non-believers that do what they can to entice us away from our faith. It’s been going on like this for a long time. Moses had to warn his people to be careful not to go astray. God would not be pleased. I was also surprised to see that Moses told them, “the Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul.” I certainly don’t want to fail the test. Do you?

We do need to be careful. I, for one, don’t want to displease God. Yet, there isn’t a moment that goes by that I’m not falling short in some way, shape, or form. What is helpful, is to realize I’m not alone. Many people over the ages have struggled with temptations. You know the old saying, “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” Have you ever had that sense?

Deuteronomy 6:14-25 – God’s Word is True

Read Deuteronomy 6:14-25

It is helpful for us to remember that when God makes a promise, he keeps it. His word is most definitely true. Moses reminds the people of that yet again. It is also helpful for us to remember that these words are spoken as part of the Old Covenant God made with his people. There was such a focus on being obedient. The people we were rewarded for their obedience and cursed when they disobeyed. There was a focus on earning and deserving. That’s not the same way things work now.

Jesus came and brought with him the New Covenant. He took on flesh, and he was our sacrificial lamb. We are cleansed and our righteousness is in Jesus. Now the focus is on believing and receiving. Our blessing comes from having faith in Jesus. Jesus bore our sins and failings in obedience on the cross. Our response and desire to please God and do his will comes from our gratitude to our Savior.

Holy Week 2020 – Tuesday

Read Matthew 26:6-13 and John 12:1-8

How did Jesus spend his last days? All these years later, what do his final words say to us? We have entered into Holy Week. In pastoral ministry over the years, this has been one of the busiest weeks of the year. Easter morning would often arrive and the week before would seem only a blur of preparations. How can you celebrate the resurrection joy when you haven’t taken time to feel the agony and desperation of Jesus’ final hours?

This year, in 2020, the whole world has been given a notice to isolate, to “socially distance” from co-workers, friends, neighbors, and loved ones. No church gatherings will take place. There are plenty of people feeling the agony of loss and the desperation of the unknown. Yet for this week, I want us all to try and focus on Jesus. Let’s set aside the craziness of the world’s events and just be in the presence of Jesus. Walk with him in his final days. Feel his passion. Sense his strength. Hear his promise that death has no power.

2 Corinthians 13:1-14 – Examine Yourself

Read 2 Corinthians 13:1-14

It’s time to look within. When Paul told his readers (us) to examine themselves, he wasn’t talking about a physical exam. He was referring to the health of our faith journey. We know there are many things that can get us off track. For me, the biggest derailment was always my busyness. I thrive on being busy. I do not do well to sit idle. I often long for the day when I can just sit and do nothing, but then when I try, there is too much energy inside to contain. Can you relate?

Paul was concerned for the people and if they would be ready for his arrival. Would they trust him enough? Would they be open and accepting to his message? Those are common doubts we can wrestle with as well. Will our message be well received? If we aren’t sure, we often don’t even bother to try. Is it fair that we keep his good news to ourselves? Shouldn’t we instead pray for those we reach out to, like Paul did, so they are ready to hear and accept our message?