March 1, 2005 Jeremiah 1:1-10

March 1, 2005 Jeremiah 1:1-10

Jeremiah 1:4-5 Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Who knows you best in all your life? Is it your wife, your children, a friend, perhaps your parents? Each one of them knows us to an extent. They come to know us as much as we let them know us and there are still parts that we keep inside hidden from view.

Each of us, no matter how open we are to others still has some place that is purely between our self and God. Every time I realize how well God truly knows us it is at the same time scary and comforting. To think that another being knew us before we were conceived is enough to make me fall on my knees in prayer.

But God did not just know us; God knew how we would serve Him. To think that before we were born God had a calling for us amazes me. Jeremiah was so astounded by this that his entire life was dedicated to warning Israel of what lay ahead. And he did so even when it was dangerous for him.

How about us? Are we that devoted to God’s call, that we would place our self in danger? Most of us would like to think so. But I am not so sure. I don’t know if I could stand up to rulers and priests who held the power to make life very, very uncomfortable. I hope I would, I pray I would and could.

The ultimate question is one of obedient faith in our life. This is the ultimate test of our faith. Some of us will fail this test. But God’s love will remain and it will remain unchanged. For in failure and in success, we can be faithful to God’s call. We can trust God who knows us better than we know our self.

Loving God, you knew us and consecrated us before our parents were born. Help us to follow your call for our life this day. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

Contributed by Rev. Andy O’Dowd

February 28, 2005 Psalm 3

February 28, 2005 Psalm 3

Psalm 3:1-5 “Many are rising against me; many are saying to me, "There is no help for you in God." But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy hill.”

Have you ever been absolutely depressed? Not just the having a “blue day” depressed, but the weeks on end, can’t get out of bed, don’t even know why I continue to live, depressed? In the midst of those days it often feels like the whole world is lined up against you just waiting their turn in line to punch you in the stomach.

Years ago, I came across a children’s book that told the story of a boy named Alexander and his particularly rotten, no good, very bad day. One calamity after another befell poor Alexander. First the dog ate his homework (really). Then his favorite socks developed a big hole in one foot. Someone squashed his lunch on the school bus and they couldn’t go outside for recess, It didn’t get any better at home either because his mom had fixed liver for dinner (yuck!!!!). The day just couldn’t get any worse or so it seemed. His tale of woe continued right up until bedtime. Then his mother came in kissed him goodnight and said she loved him. Alexander decided it wasn’t such a bad day after all.

On the days when I feel like Alexander of the story, life is the pits. The whole world lines up against me and makes me wonder if even God can help. The child in me wants to go home to mommy and get tucked in with a good night hug and kiss to reassure me that all is well in the world for tomorrow will be a better day. The adult in me finds comfort in the knowledge that God is there. God hears our every cry and answers our every prayer and, especially when we don’t feel it, is there with an “I love you,” a hug and a good night kiss to make the worst day better. And all of a sudden, even the worst day isn’t so bad after all.

Thank you Lord for your loving kindness, you listen and hear all our cries and you answer each prayer. Help us see beyond our depression to the reality of a life with you. Still our hearts even as you protect us from harm. This we ask in the name of Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Contributed by Anonymous

February 27, 2005 Mark 5:1-20

February 27, 2005 Mark 5:1-20

Mark 5:15-17 “They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood.”

I can’t imagine myself in the situation described in this passage, can you? You just witnessed a great miraculous cure and you chase away the person who brought it about. That just doesn’t make sense. I’m sure we’d all welcome such a healer in our midst. Wouldn’t we? Or would we?
Stop and look at the situation again. Jesus cures the man but at the cost of 2000 swine. That’s a pretty fair sized bunch of pork on the hoof. How much would that many swine bring at market today? Maybe that is what the people were afraid about. Perhaps they thought Jesus would find another industry that was prohibited by the law and put an end to it too. After all, pork was a prohibited food.
Now let’s fast forward a bit, let’s say 2000 years or so. And let’s put the situation this way. Jesus comes into town. He encounters a homeless person suffering from schizophrenia. This person (or non-person if you will) is largely ignored by the entire town as they concentrated on their dog races. Jesus cures the individual. Only instead of putting the curse/disease/demons upon 2000 swine, he chooses to put it upon 2000 racing greyhounds. The dogs run and jump into the sea and drown, depriving their owners of the profits generated at the dog track. They are afraid and now, without their primary source of income, they insist that Jesus leave.
Sound like the same story? But it is. The miracles of healing through Christ bring benefit not just to the ‘identified patient’ but to all who witness or hear of them. In one sense it wasn’t just the demoniac who was cured, it was the community. And sometimes the community doesn’t want the cure.
So it is with us, when just one person is ‘cured’ through an encounter with Christ, all of us are changed. And the change happens whether we want it our not. We become a little more aware of the way our actions can harm others. We learn again each day that although many things are legal they are not good for us as individuals or society. And perhaps, we learn again what it really means to love one another.

Dear Lord, help us this day to see your hand at work and not be frightened. We believe with our mind that all things work for good through you, but our heart has doubts. Strengthen our faith this day. Amen.

Contributed by Anonymous

February 26, 2005 Romans 3:19-31

February 26, 2005 Romans 3:19-31

Romans 3:20-23 “For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 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”

Being a planner, I like to know what is expected of me. I like knowing step one, step two, and step three. Rules make life easier; they make life predictable. It is good to know the route or the path we need to take to reach a goal.
Paul is contradicting this idea of following the rules to attain salvation. In the passage, he is saying that not only are the rules not the pathway to God, but following the rules leads to sin! How can this be? This is not right. Following the laws should get us where we need to go.
Paul says differently. He says we are justified in God’s eyes by faith, not by following the laws. He says God will accept and acquit us – declare us not guilty – if we trust Jesus to take away our sins. Not only that, but it does not matter who we are, Jew or Gentile, we can be saved by coming to a faith in Christ.
Does this mean we do not have to follow laws – laws like the Ten Commandments, laws of the state, moral laws? According to Paul, it is just the opposite. If we trust Jesus, we can only obey God’s laws. If we love Jesus, we will love one another. If we follow Jesus, we will follow the laws of God.
Our plan needs to change. Instead of a multi-step plan of salvation, we need only put our trust and faith in Christ. He takes away our sin. Through Him we can find our path to God.

Dear God, thank you for showing us the way to salvation through Jesus. Strengthen our faith and trust. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Contributed by Nancy Conlan

February 25, 2005 John 5:30-47

February 25, 2005 John 5:30-47

John 5:30-34 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved.”

As I read this passage I find myself asking the question, “Why did John need to prove who Jesus is?” For John, being one of the original disciples should have been enough, but the people needed more. The Old Testament required that for the testimony of someone to be valid a witness was required to verify the deed or miracle performed by another person. So the writer John presents John the Baptist as his witness to the deeds of Christ.
My question is this; “Today do we still need a witness? Some kind of proof so we will fully believe that Jesus is Lord?” The world today is consumed by those trying to dispute the life of Jesus, his works, his deeds, his true divinity as the Son of God made man.
This Lenten season, which follows so quickly after the joy of Christmas, ( Kathy and I still have not put away all the Christmas decorations yet!) brings us directly to the point of our faith, the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus.
In our walk of faith, there are many “proofs” of who Jesus is if only we accept them. Each one of us have the truth if we would only see, hear, and believe. The book of John is summed up in 20:31 with these words; “But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.”

Today Lord, we thank you for the Christmas gift of your Son, Jesus. Prepare our hearts now to accept the proof of your love for each of us. Help us to understand the cross as a sign of your love for all of your children and help us to rid our lives of the nails we carry that nailed him to the cross for us so long ago. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Contributed by Chris Gamm

February 24, 2005 Romans 2:12 - 24

February 24, 2005                                                                               Romans 2:12 – 24

 

Romans 2:17-21 “But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, you, then, that teach others, will you not teach yourself?”

 

            I love the Bible because it is full of truth. God gives the signs of this truth whenever we look. All we have to do is see that!  For example look at the trees outside. Think of the caterpillars encased in cocoons on those dead branches. Think of the butterflies emerging to eat the new green leaves of spring. How can anyone NOT believe in Jesus’ (and our own) resurrection?!?

            Another truth is playing out at my house. My son is eleven years old. As he grows, he is given more freedom – but, with freedom comes added responsibility. As he grows, I expect to remind him less of those duties and responsibilities, to nag him less as his responsibilities become second nature to him, to be “written on his heart.”  It will happen, right? It will happen. I have faith…

            Through his son Jesus Christ, God has given Christians freedom from worry, guilt, and fear that so many in this world will never know. Our responsibility is to know his will more and to share our knowledge, love, and faith with those around us. It will happen. God has put his faith in us.

 

Lord, help me to see your truths all around us.  Write your words on my heart.  Put your love in my heart.  In your Son’s name we beseech you.  Amen.

 

Contributed by Dave Cerven

February 23, 2005

February 23, 2005                                                                                           John 5:1-18

 

John 5:11 “The man who made me well said to me, 'Take up your mat and walk.’”

 

Unexpected Sources of Blessing

 

            Chocolate fudge is one of my favorite foods. Generally speaking I find lots of other people on the same page in that indulgence. Recently I tried a new recipe. The texture and flavor and were great and the best part for me is that it is virtually fail-proof (candy-making is not what I do best). It only seems fair that people should know what they are eating, so I took a dish of my fudge to school and placed the recipe beside it. As I came back to the workroom throughout the day, the plate was still there with very few pieces eaten. You see, this fudge contains a can of pinto beans. Adventuresome eaters would try it, others just assume it couldn’t be any good – but it is. The source is unexpected and hesitation is a normal response.

            The man by the pool in the story was seeking God’s blessing and favor. He thought that he knew how it should come – someone would help him into the healing waters when they were stirred and he would walk away a well man. Sure enough a kind man came along and chatted with him a bit. This fellow seemed interested and concerned and so the one in need of healing asked for assistance to the pool – the way the blessing should come.  Instead this friendly stranger told the invalid to get up and walk – and he did. He didn’t stop to question or look for credentials. He found the miracle he sought and was able to see it coming in a way he could not have predicted.

            God surrounds each of us with miracles and answers to prayer everyday. We don’t always see or accept what is being done for us because we do not recognize the unorthodox methods that our Heavenly Father uses.

 

Father, thank you for your care for us. Thank you for your imagination and wisdom in ministering to us. Help us see your hand at work as we walk through our days this week.

 

Contributed by Judy King

 

February 22, 2005

February 22, 2005 Jeremiah 2:1-13, 29-32

Jeremiah 2:12-13; 31-32 “Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the LORD, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water… And you, O generation, behold the word of the LORD! Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Why then do my people say, "We are free, we will come to you no more"? Can a girl forget her ornaments or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.”

Have you ever forgotten to pray? I have never forgotten to breathe, and I have certainly never forgotten to eat. Yet, more than once, I have gone a full day and not prayed. In darkest times, I will pray daily asking for help and guidance. Sometimes even questioning why a loved one has to go through a difficult situation. Yet after the storm has passed and life calms down, it is back to life as usual. I may thank God for helping me get through it, but shortly afterward, I get back to my same old routine and forget to pray daily.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it is right and even necessary to pray during those times. But I also believe we must keep God in our lives at all times. The ordinary, life as usual, days can be made more meaningful if we remember the one who brought us here. This can be as simple as making a point to say grace before each meal and helping our children say their prayers before bed each night. Keeping God in our hearts and prayers on a daily basis will help us lead a full life closer to his image and will give us purpose each and every day.

Loving God, thank you for being with us every day; when we hurt, when we are happy, and even when we forget about you. Help us today to recall all you do and have done for us. May we never forget to give you thanks and praise. Amen.

Contributed by Shannon Walker

February 21, 2005

February 21, 2005 Jeremiah 1:11-19

Jeremiah 1:17 “But you, gird up your loins; stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not break down before them, or I will break you before them.”

The New International Version translation of Jeremiah 1:17 intrigued me. God tells Jeremiah; “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them or I will terrify you before them.”
I looked up the word ‘terrify’ and found two meanings: 1) To fill with terror; make deeply afraid; frighten; and 2) To menace or threaten; to intimidate.
I couldn’t help but recall a line my parents used on us as kids; “You’d better quit crying or I’ll give you something to cry about!” (I may have used is myself a time or two, now that I think about it…) The amazing thing about that line is that IT WORKS! That threat (promise?) seems to be a hard-wired, universal “reset button.” Even as children, we can recognize that whatever we are distressed about at the moment is not as ‘terrifying’ as the prospect of angering or disappointing our loving parents.
What a tough situation the prophet is placed into! Once he answers the call from God, that chosen one must face up to a disobedient society or “face the music” with the Lord God Almighty!
God is still building humans with the same clay, isn’t He?
But the promise of God doesn’t stop with there for Jeremiah or for us today! God, through the Holy Spirit has made each of us an unconquerable force for the name of Jesus Christ.
Look around you. What s the cause that God wants you to stand for or against? Are you bothered by the content of the media? The direction of our youth? The treatment of senior citizens? The direction of our political system? The state of sin in your life?
God has already prepared you for the fight! With God’s protection, you will win! Hallelujah! Now, go get ‘em tiger!!

Lord, show me where you want me to stand as Your voice, Your hands, and Your representative. Help me to do this with love, with perseverance, and with peace, secure in the knowledge that I am with you. I ask this is Jesus’ name. Amen.

Contributed by Dave Cerven

February 20, 2005

February 20, 2005 John 1:43-51

John 1:47-50 “When Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathaniel asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." Nathaniel replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.”

How easy is it for you to believe something on blind faith? I don’t just mean taking someone at their word, but believing them when there is no sane reason to do so. It is only natural to want some sort of proof before we believe someone.
Now put yourself into Nathaniel’s place, you meet Jesus and he tells you exactly what you were doing yesterday. And to top it off he looks at you and makes a character assessment on the spot! And as unsettling as that is, Nathaniel believes Jesus is the Son of God and announces it long before Peter makes the same claim!
In our life with Christ, we are called to take many things on blind faith – without the benefit of solid proof. It is tough to do so but that is what we must do. And the promised reward is wonderful. A promise to see Christ in all His glory and be called children of God!

Loving God, we hear about you and we’re not sure. We’d like proof, but it isn’t easy to find. Help us when we step out in blind faith. Support us in your loving arms today and always. Amen.

Contributed by W. Ed Griffith

February 19, 2005

February 19, 2005 Hebrews 5:1-10

Hebrews 5:5-7 “So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"; as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek." In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”


These reflections were gathered one evening from a group of “crazy” teenage girls and their mother. The group noticed several themes in the Hebrews passage. They included: obedience, suffering, the call from God, and the “path to perfection.” Julie felt she was “well on her way” along that path and a discussion ensued.

“These verses made us think about Jesus’ path to perfection.”

“It’s not always easy to obey, whether we are obeying our parents, or God.”

Around this table, the girls realized that discipline is good to help us stay on the right path. It helps us to accept the right values, brings out the best in our children, and even helps, “hide the rest.”

Take some time today to sense how Jesus traveled His path to perfection.
When did He know He was special?
How did He interact with “common people?”
How did He balance the call of God and the expectations of society?
How did He wait for His time?
How did He know His time?

Are you obeying God’s call for your life?

Loving God, you appointed Christ prophet, priest, and king. He was aware of your will and call like no other. Help us to discover your call for us. Lead us so that we may follow your call and will in our lives. This we ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Contributed by Cristy, Jennifer, and Julie Wheeler, and Amanda Cash

February 18, 2005

February 18, 2005 Deuteronomy 10:12-22

Deuteronomy 10:17-18 “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing.”

I enjoy fishing. There is a long tradition at the beginning of a fishing trip before a line hits the water, some bait is thrown in. This is supposed to incur the favor of the fishing gods. I’m not sure if it works, but like chicken soup it can’t hurt. I figure if nothing else the bait attracts the fish.
I’m glad life with God is not like my fishing trips. There is no bait we can dangle to attract God. God in mercy and love seeks to attract us instead. The bait God uses is nothing more than love and all its benefits. In the great stage of life, if we are the actors then God is the spotlight. We don’t move into the light, but God brings the light to us and then God gives us opportunities to bring that light to others in His name. Try as we might God chose us before we ever could choose God.
By the time you read this Super Bowl Sunday will be a memory so will the “Souper Bowl” efforts to care for the orphan, the widow, the poor and the friendless. God showers us with blessings beyond compare. No one of us is too insignificant for God’s attention and care. Someday, we too may be on the receiving end of the generosity of others. It is good to know that God cares now and God will care then too.

Gracious Lord, we thank you for your impartiality. You bestow blessings on saints and sinners alike and heed the cries of the orphan, the widow, and the needy. Hear our pleas. Use us as instruments of your justice and mercy now and always. Amen.

Contributed by Rev. Andy O’Dowd

February 17, 2005

February 17, 2005 Hebrews 4:1-10

Hebrews 4:9-10 “So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God's rest also cease from their labors as God did from his.”

As a public school teacher, a wife, and the mother of four children, I was never able to get everything done. That was not an imagined situation. It was a reality.

The vacuum was often left in the last place it was used with the anticipation that it would be picked up again to continue the process. There were always clean clothes, healthful food on the table, dishes were washed, homework was done (both mine and the children's), ball games and concerts were attended. Resting on Sunday did not always seem to be an option.

But when Sunday came, the family attended Sunday school and church. It was not a decision we had to make. Maybe it was a habit. More than a habit, I think it was a determination to attend because we thought it was the right thing to do.

I can’t say that I always rested, but we always went to church. It was a safe feeling for me. God had seen my family through another week. I’ve always felt that God had watched over my family all week, and the very least I could do was stand one hour a week in church saying “Thank you.”

At this stage of my life I probably do live up to the scripture noted above better than I did when the children were at home. The vacuum is no longer on the floor, the laundry has become much less of a chore, I still put healthful food on the table, I still do paper work although it is not schoolwork, and I still do not have to make a decision about attending church on Sunday. When Sunday comes I plan to be in church.

And when it comes to our final rest, God has promised us eternal life with him. This is a great comfort to a Christian, especially if one has lost someone close.

Dear heavenly Father, help us to treat the Sabbath as if it belongs to you and is given to us as a gift to help us renew ourselves for another week. Spending an hour in church with other people who truly care about you is another gift we can enjoy each week. Amen.

Contributed by Anna Nienhueser

February 16, 2005

February 16, 2005 Deuteronomy 9:13-17

Deuteronomy 9:16-17 “Then I saw that you had indeed sinned against the LORD your God, by casting for yourselves an image of a calf; you had been quick to turn from the way that the LORD had commanded you. So I took hold of the two tablets and flung them from my two hands, smashing them before your eyes.”

When I was a teenager, big budget Bible movies were all the rage. Movies like “Ben Hur,” “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” and “The Ten Commandments” were very popular. I will never forget the sight of Moses – Charlton Heston – standing on Mt. Sinai holding the tablets containing the Ten Commandments high above his head. He was about to smash them against the idol of the golden calf. Moses was enraged. He had a right to be. His people had lost faith in God. They did not trust. They had reverted to idols.
It did, however, upset me to see those precious tablets thrown to the ground. These laws had been given to Moses directly from God. In the movie the special effects had been great – lightning bolts and everything. I could not help but wonder if the commandments were lost forever. What kind ever forgive his people?
You cannot help but feel sorry for those ancient Hebrews. They were frightened and bewildered – stuck in the middle of nowhere. Their leader had disappeared leaving them with the second in command. They wanted something familiar, something comfortable, something real. They wanted something they could see and touch. They built an idol.
I think we reject much the same today. Things in our lives go wrong. We get upset; we get sad, frightened, or confused. So what do we do – we go shopping. We buy more stuff. We turn to things to satisfy ourselves. We build our idols.
God through Moses was very angry with his people. Yet in the end he forgave them and eventually they were allowed to enter the Promised Land. So it is with us, god through Jesus Christ produces us and we two are promised entrance into the Promised Land.

Dear God, forgive us our idols. Direct us on the path we should be taking. The our guide in the wilderness. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Contributed by Nancy Conlan

February 15, 2005

February 15, 2005 Psalm 119:49-72

Psalm 119:62 “At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.”

Here are some words found in Psalm 119:49-72.

A psalmist speaks of God’s Word:
word, promise, law, judgments, commands, decrees, precepts, promise, statutes, instructions,

Impact of God’s Word on a psalmist:
peace, joy, direction, hope, comfort. life, wisdom, knowledge

A psalmist’s actions in response to God’s Word:
learn, listen, obey, not depart, remember, compose songs, think about, ask for mercy, promise, consider, not forget, praise you, befriend, trust, value

I like the Psalms. This is partly because they are poetry, but more importantly, it is because they are the deep reflections of honest communication with God – the good, the bad, the ugly and the sublime. Sometimes we hear anger voiced against enemies and sometimes against God. Sometimes we see the writer emerge from a dark tunnel into the light of peace. – real life, real experiences, real feelings.
As you may know, Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, some 176 verses. Nestled here in the heart of the Bible is a remarkable chapter which mentions God’s Word in every verse! Read the verses 49-72. List “A” above is a compilation of the variety of references to God’s word found in those verses. It speaks to many facets of our source of information about our Heavenly Father and his intentions for our lives. Which term resonates with your heart-understanding of Scripture?
This writer also shared a range of emotions that Scripture evoked – List B. Who of us wouldn’t be glad to feel God’s direction working those qualities out in our lives? And finally List C, also found in this same passage, speaks to the responses we can make to the enlightenment we find in God’s Word. How much God will enrich our lives through His Word if we will spend time reading the letter He has preserved through the ages for us.
Today you are invited to build your own prayer based on your perception of God’s Word and your response to His message to you. As the psalmist, speak your heart honestly to your Heavenly Father as you seek to deepen your relationship with Him during these days of Lent.

O Lord, your __________________ brings me ________________
(A) (B)
and causes me to ______________________________________ .
(C)


Contributed by Judy King

February 14, 2005

February 14, 2005 Deuteronomy 8:1-20

Deuteronomy 8: 1, 6, 17-20 “This entire commandment that I command you today you must diligently observe, so that you may live and increase, and go in and occupy the land that the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors… Therefore keep the commandments of the LORD your God, by walking in his ways and by fearing him… Do not say to your self, "My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today. If you do forget the LORD your God and follow other gods to serve and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD is destroying before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God.”

Stand still. Stand still and listen. What do you hear? Is it a still small voice? Are you paying attention?

How often do we move through the paces of life without pausing to give thanks to God who makes all things possible? Do we frequently neglect to do a routine process check to determine if our lives are glorifying Him? When we stand still, we can hear God’s voice leading us, guiding us…and possibly even correcting us. When we stand still, we are reminded that our blessings are from God and that a few “thank-you’s” directed toward Him would be very appropriate.

As we enjoy our frequently harried, but bountiful lives, let’s remember to stand still…and listen. God’s great commandments are to love Him and love others. It’s fitting on this Valentine’s Day for us to remember that “love” is central to God’s expectations for our lives. As we’re standing still, let’s consider how our lives demonstrate our love of Him and our love for others….and as we are affirmed or alarmed by our answers to these questions, let’s turn to God. As we stand still, listen, and obey, let’s rejoice that although God’s expectations for us are high, that through him all things are possible – bringing hope to even sinners like us! This is a cause for celebration.

Father, help us to remember always that the blessings of our lives are from you. Help us to develop daily practices which foster a deeper love for you and for others. Thank you for your unwavering devotion to us. When we follow You, we know that all things are possible. Help us to always remember that You are the way. Amen.

Contributed by Julie Leverenz

February 13, 2005

February 13, 2005 Psalm 119:1-24

Psalm 119:1-5 “Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways. You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!”

There are many references in the Bible to the laws and statutes of God. These laws are referred to as righteous, as wonderful commands and words by which to live and rejoice. But are we always so joyous about the law in our modern world? And in our society laws cover many areas from criminal statutes to tax regulations. Have you ever cheated on your tax forms? Does that violate any of God’s laws? Is it a form of theft? You know the answers to those questions.
Think of how good you feel when you have a choice between right and wrong and you choose to do the right thing. As it is written, those who embraced God’s Law had an upright heart and their eyes were open to wonderful things. For when you are called upon by God, He does not love you because you are wealthy, strong, or wise. You are loved because of God’s wisdom, strength and infinite capacity to love. The wisest thing you can do is choosing to obey God’s laws and live according to His Word.

Most holy God, help me to always make the right choices so that I will be filled with your grace and will praise you by my actions. This we pray in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.

Contributed by Candide Cooper

February 12,2005

February 12, 2005 Psalm 44

Psalm 44:1 “We have heard with our ears, O God, our ancestors have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old”

If we are fortunate, we have heard of the great gifts and blessing of God from our fathers and mothers. We have learned of the gifts of the land of ‘milk and honey.’ By God’s own hand and sword, the enemies of Israel were defeated. And we (humankind) have accomplished great things, with God’s help.
But somewhere along the way we got all puffed up with how great ‘we’ are and, in the words of the Psalmist, God’s face turned away from us. All it takes is a few defeats in life and then we begin to realize our shame. It was not God who turned away, it was us. And yet God remains ready to hear us promise once more to remain true to His ways.
The challenge for us is to always strive to recall how good God has been in the past and is to us even now. Greed, pride, and the rest of the seven deadly sins should never be allowed to turn us from God’s plan.

Dear Lord, help us stay true to your way. Deliver us from the temptations we face this day so we can freely do your work. This we ask in the name of Christ. Amen.

Contributed by W. Ed Griffith

February 11, 2005

February 11, 2005 Psalm 107:1-22

Psalm 107:1-2 “O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, those he redeemed from trouble.”

What do we do in times of trouble and distress? Often these are the time we turn to God for help. But is God our last resort or is He in our first prayers? We do give thanks for God’s unfailing love. Again and again it is written that God delivered His people from their distress; whether it was hunger and thirst, the chains of slavery, a tempest at sea, or a harvest that failed due to drought.
And then do we remember to give thanks every day for all God’s good? His love endures always and forever, but does ours? Too often we forget about God, forget to thank Him for all the good in our lives. And when the next crisis arises, we are asking for His help again. Include God in your thoughts and prayers every day, thank Him for His love.

Dearest God, I am so grateful for all the good in my life. You are my source of help in times of trouble and distress. Help us to lean on you always. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Contributed by Candide Cooper

February 10, 2005

February 10, 2005 John 1:29-34

John 1:29 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ‘”

Do you recall the “Bo Knows” commercials? The tag line of every one was that without fail Bo knew what he had to concerning his sports and the product he was hawking. That same knowledge was present in John the Baptist. He managed to “tie it all together” in his reflection in a pattern that helps our lives and nourishes our souls. If you’d like to make the tie-in for yourself this Lent, I recommend you read and reflect on the following passages relating to John the Baptist: Matthew 3:1-17; 4:12; 14:1-ff.; 16:13-16; Mark 1:1-15; 6:14-56; Luke 1, 7:18-35; an John 1:6,15, 19-42; 3:22-30; 4:1-3, 5:30-47.
But let’s get back to John. John knows several truly important things for each of us to remember. Items that surpass what “Bo knows”:

John knows God.
John knows his place and role in history.
John knows the Messiah is coming.
John knows the signs.
John knows right and wrong.
John knows the value of service and meditation.
John knows the plan.

What do YOU know? You know that God loves you for who you are. You know that Jesus died for you and paid for your sins before God. You know that God wants you to know Him more. Ask Him to “tie it together” for you.
Here’s an idea for you today. Wear a string around your finger. See if God leads you to “tie it together” for someone else.

Lord, thank you for the plan that you have for my life. Help me to know you more. Take my experiences, talents, and thoughts and tie it together with those of others around me that we may glorify you together, in Jesus name. Amen.

Contributed by Dave Cerven

From the Desrt to Calvary

From the desert to Calvary: A Lenten Devotional

Foreword

Each year the Christian calendar calls us to a forty day period of preparation known as Lent. In this season we journey with Christ from his temptation in the desert, through his Passion and crucifixion, to that most glorious day of his resurrection, Easter Sunday. It is a season of penance, prayer, and introspection. During these 40 days and the six Sundays in Lent, many Christians begin a renewed focus on spiritual practices as they contemplate exactly what Christ went through for each one of us.
This year, members of our congregation have shared some of their reflections on the daily lectionary passages for the Lenten season. The devotionals reflect the way God is speaking to them as individuals in this place and time. You will notice some differences in the way each of us approaches and responds to Scripture, but that is only natural. God has blessed me and the writers have done so as well. I’ve been moved by the faith that shines through in these works.
During the Lenten season, the devotionals will be distributed weekly in church on Sunday. They will also be available daily online at the church’s website. You can access them at the following URL: http://1stbgmo.presbychurch.org/devotionals.html.
We hope and pray, as you read their encounters with God through Scripture, that some thing resonates with you in your walk of faith. The Session and I pray that this is a Spirit filled season for each of you. May God’s Word find fertile ground in your life.

Rev Andrew O'Dowd

All devotional materials ©2005 by First Presbyterian Church, 205 W. Centennial St., Bowling Green, MO 63334.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

February 9, 2005 Ash Wednesday Psalm 51

Psalm 51:10 “Create a clean heart in me, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”

Alcoholics Anonymous has, over the years, been instrumental in helping many people conquer or at least control their addiction to alcohol. The “12 Steps” which form the bedrock of the success of AA have been adopted, with great success, by groups coping with other addictive behaviors as well. We owe a lot to those unnamed individuals who modeled the rebirth that AA requires of participants each day of their sobriety.
There are many touch points between the 12 Steps and Christianity. Most of the similarities can be seen in the earlier steps. For example the first step; “Admitting we are powerless to that which controls us.” For an alcoholic that is their drinking. For Christians it is our sinning. We are powerless to avoid sin on our own, just as an alcoholic is powerless to give up their addiction without some external mediator.
Every time I read Psalm 51 I am reminded how powerless we are in our sin. Martin Luther came to realize that he was never without sin in his life. He would enter the confessional, spend hours making his confession, leave, and then return minutes later when he recalled more sins. The same is true of each of us, we are never without sin.
Except for one thing, God in an act of astounding mercy and grace chose to grant forgiveness. He elected to send his Son to bear the punishment we deserve for our sin. And God gave each one of us the ability to choose right from wrong. In other words, God gave us a chance to create, with His help, a clean heart within us. An opportunity for us to wipe the slate clean and begin life anew, forgiven of our sin. We, like the alcoholic in AA, must begin with the abandonment of any pretenses concerning our lives. In fact, the best state for us to know and experience what God has done for us is when we are at our lowest, in the deepest depths of remorse and contrition. It is then, that we recognize exactly what God’s forgiveness is about and know how great a gift it is.
But that clean state is not something we can ignore. The creation of a right spirit within us is not a one time event. Our changed state requires constant maintenance and attention. We must each and every day battle our tendency to sin. And like the alcoholic, the best support system we have is the community of sinners in the same state we are, the Church.
I wonder sometimes, would life be different in the church if we were to claim our role as the support system for those around us. And at the same time, how would our lives change if we utilized the church as our own support system. In Acts 2, near the end of the chapter, we find the phrase; “and the disciples shared as each had a need.” Perhaps that sharing was not just material but the support and openness of knowing that we all need help to succeed in God’s world.

Almighty God, help me to recognize the people in my life and the support they provide. Create in me, not just a clean heart, but a contrite soul that knows how close I am to sinning anew with each breath. Strengthen me to serve you this day. Amen.

Contributed by Rev. Andy O’Dowd

Deuteronomy 6:1-15

Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.”

Karl Barth, that great theologian of the 20^th century once wrote that the chief sin of humanity is the sin of idolatry. He further defined idolatry as our erroneous belief that we in some way are fit to make judgments in God’s stead. And idolatry is a very insidious sin. Not because it is less wrong than others. But because if we are not careful, items which are supposed to point us to God and draw us closer with the almighty, can in fact replace God as the object of our worship. I believe that is true today and it was true at the time of the Original Sin of Adam and Eve.

Look around you today. What person place or thing can you not live without? Think about it, if you had to give up everything you own, everything you have and take for granted, what is the one thing you couldn’t part with? Is it money? Perhaps that new house or car? How about you family, friends, health, or happiness? Maybe it is prestige, power, or good looks? What could you not do without? Now do the same thing in your life of faith. Consider the church and its building. Would there be a church without the building? Is it more important to have a beautiful place to worship or just simply to worship God? Once you’ve narrowed your list down to one or two items, I want you to build a temple with the item in the center and bow down to it, for you have identified your god.

We have so many luxuries, tools, and conveniences that we sometimes forget that God doesn’t require or care for those items as objects of worship. We forget the command to Israel and all those who believe in the one God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The command to; “Hear, O Israel; The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.”

Anything, any person, any place, that we let get in the way of our worship of God is an idol. And like the golden calf in the desert, serves no purpose but to convict us of our sin.

But there is hope. The Apostle Paul wrote that nothing in heaven or on earth can separate us from the love of God in Christ. And Jesus told us that we must be willing to lose everything if we hope to gain everything in eternity. In other words, we can abandon the idols of this life for worship of the one true God. May God strengthen us for this task each day.

Psalm 12:6

Psalm 12:6  “The promises of the LORD are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.”

 

            Once upon a time, a woman in a church Bible study was puzzled by Zechariah 13:9.  The verse speaks about refining silver as does this verse and she wondered how understanding that process could help in her understanding of Scripture.  She found a silversmith near by and asked if she could watch him work at his trade. 

            He showed her how the silver is molded, joined and formed to make jewelry and other items.  It was all very interesting but still not what the woman was after.  Then one day, the silversmith announced; “It’s time to refine some silver.”  At long last the woman was going to get the information she sought.

            The silversmith took the silver, put it into the fire and said:  “You have to watch silver or you can ruin it.”  “How do you know when it is refined and just right,” asked the woman.  “That’s easy.  It is pure when you can see your reflection in it.”

            God’s promises are like that silver purified again and again so that the image of God is apparent in them.  Pure as God is and sure as God’s love, the promises of God are the one thing in all of Creation that will never fail to be carried out.  They are not just 100% sterling, they are 100% Divine!

           

 

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Isaiah 53:5  “But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.”

 

            A year ago Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ” was all the rage.  Everywhere you turned there were cries of anti-Semitism, or a proclamation that this film was the greatest thing of all time.  One of the advertising phrases used in promoting the film was a part of Isaiah 53:5; “…by his bruises we are healed.”  And as I reread the passage before us today, I was reminded again of all that Christ endured for us.

            In fact, if one were to read Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and watch “the Passion” or read the Gospel accounts of the Passion – you can’t help but be struck by the similarities.  Is it coincidence, or the hand of God at work? Each verse of the passage resonates again and again with what we know Christ endured.

            I am astounded at the inability of folks, who accept Isaiah’s words as accurate, to believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.  Many people continue to search for signs and wonders to confirm what we believe as Christians.  But God has confirmed it again and again.  If Isaiah’s words and the accounts of the Passion do not convince us that Jesus is the Son of God, come for each of us and to save us from the penalty we deserve, then nothing ever will.  Let those who have ears listen and open their hearts to believe the Truth. 

Galatians 4:12-20

Galatians 4:19-20   “My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.”

 

 

Parenting is an eternal challenge.  No matter how young or old our children are, they are always on our minds.  My 76-year-young mother can still make me feel like I was 10 all over again with just a word or two over the telephone.  The hold is one that will never quite break, despite the miles that separate us now.  By the same token, I’m certain that my siblings and I still occasionally are a cause for heartache and concern on her part.

I think it has to do with the responsibilities we claim in raising children.  We teach our children how to live in the world, give them guidance on how to cope and then, even if we don’t want to, turn them loose on the world.  A part of us goes with them wherever they go, and never leaves.

The same should be true of our children in faith.  Each one of us (at least in my faith tradition) makes a vow at the baptism of a child to raise and nurture that child in faith.  In effect we are promising to be the faith parent of every new Christian we baptize. 

Paul took that vow seriously.  He never hesitated to claim almost parental prerogatives over the churches and individuals he helped bring to Christ.  And when they strayed, Paul grew perplexed about them. 

Would our churches look different if we took the same stance with those we baptize?  Especially people who drop off the radar after high school or college and fall away from church altogether.  Do we have the right in Christ’s name to be that tiny voice of God calling them back?  I believe we do.  I am convinced that we have not just a right but a responsibility to remind those we baptize, with love and parental care, of God’s love for them and our desire to be supportive in their walk with Christ.   Perhaps church won’t be such a non-player in their lives if we make the effort.

 

Precious Lord, our hearts ache and we are perplexed when one of your sheep strays.  We pray, that filled with your love and guided by the Spirit we may be your tiny voice to them, calling them home to you.  Help us to fulfill the pledges we make to be “parents” to children in faith.  This we ask in Christ’s name.  Amen.