faith – Page 9 – Be Still…

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

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?

2 Corinthians 11:16-30 – The Trials of Life

Read 2 Corinthians 11:16-30

We recently read about being careful not to boast. Here Paul says, “If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.” When we boast of our weaknesses it is often to show our victories in God. Some people find joy in wallowing in their misfortune. That’s not what I’m talking about here. Paul wasn’t either. His accounts of his trials were not to gain sympathy or to complain. They were to show the power of God to sustain him.

As I write this, the whole planet is under watch or attack of a pandemic virus. You can’t have a conversation, turn on the television, peruse social media, or even read your email without mention of this “trial” of life. It is affecting everyone differently. For those close to it, with loved ones affected, I have no words. Families are being torn apart and unable to comfort each other. People are dying alone because there is too much fear of spreading this virus. For those of us staying indoors, limiting our contact with other humans, there is less concern. Yet, we are all in a place of weakness. We all need Jesus’ power to sustain us.

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 – Our Secret Weapons

Read 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Paul, I don’t think “timid.” Yet he is trying here to be gentle and kind like Christ. That, to me, speaks volumes to us as well. Kindness and Gentleness are two of our secret weapons. Have you ever heard it said, “Kill them with kindness”? Selena Gomez has a song entitled “Kill ‘em With Kindness” and one of the lyrics says, “We don’t have to fall from grace. Put down the weapons you fight with.” When we lead with kindness, good things can happen.

Paul sees this as powerful as well. Afterall, Jesus never led with might and weapons of war. Why should we? But like a shepherd protects his flock, Paul wants to protect his people (us) from the lies of the world. Paul reminds us, “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do.” What does that mean? Think of war. Guns. Bombs. Death. Why?