Are you stepping away from God's love?

 When Christians talk about remaining, or continuing in the "Love of God", it often sounds like a mental exercise in remembering to love God. In the gospel of John (Jn 15:9-17), the phrase seems more related to loving God by loving others. Maybe the best way to remain in love with God, is by showing His love to others. How can you love others this week?

Paul glories in...pain?

 The Apostle Paul, one of the most influential voices of the early Church, did not brag about his position. Instead, Paul acknowledged his ongoing prayer for relief and God's refusal to take the impediment from him (2 Co 12). While we don't know what Paul suffered from, we know that this affliction did not undermine his faith or his work. What weaknesses can you be thankful for?

The Ironic Gift

 

When the affluent Christians of Jerusalem found themselves suffering a lack of status and economic opportunity, the less affluent churches of Macedonia gave what they could to assist their fellow Christians
(2 Co 8:7-15). Demonstrations of love like this caused many communities to understand the transformative power of the gospel and to embrace Christianity.

Growing the Kingdom

Most of us want to do big, memorable acts that will create a legacy of our good works, but Jesus compared the entire Kingdom of God to a very small mustard seed that grows into a large tree  Mark 4. What small acts of faith, hope, or charity can you perform as part of the expanding work of God?

On the way to worship

Psalm 130 was part of a 'playlist' of psalms sung while traveling to the Temple. This Psalm reminds us of the pain we have felt, or might be feeling as a way of preparing the ourselves for worship. Whatever our circumstances, we can choose to be like the psalmist and put our faith in God's love and power to see us through these times. How do your hard times show that God is faithful?

An ancient blues song

As Christians we are bound across time and space by our mutual belief in the goodness of God and the redemption available in Christ. One of the most obvious ways we demonstrate this connection is through singing ancient songs. Ps 137 is an example of an ancient song of profound sadness, reminding us that every era has despondency. The words of this song are so powerful, they are still sung today.

Memorial Day, 2021

 This year we have so many dead friends to remember that it might become overwhelming. Over 3.5 million have died from COVID, and many more have died from hate-induced violence led by those who should be promoting peace. Isaiah 40 describes a similar time when even the young men lose their will to fight. May we memorialize our dead with the hope of the gospel, and with our own care and ministry.

Welcome to the Church...Maybe?

 

The Church is comprised of any who confess their absolute helplessness as a sinner and trust Christ to save them by His sacrificial death (Romv10:12-13). Paul reminds us that once this step has been taken, any and everyone is then considered part of the 'body of Christ' and should be welcomed and respected as family (Gal 3:23-29). 

Paul confronts Peter with his hypocrisy

Paul was quick to confront Peter's favoritism and hypocrisy (Gal 2). Peter willingly accepted the rebuke and corrected his behaviors. As one of Christ's 'inner circle', Peter had enough influence to dismiss Paul, but by embracing Paul and the gentiles, the church has grown into a worldwide movement of faith. How do you respond when you are found doing wrong?

Fear of loss

 

Acts 15 provides insight into the Church's earliest controversy. Up until that time Christians were primarily Jewish and held many of the traditions of that faith.  The concept of gentile believers seemed strange and threatened to weaken the synagogue's influence on society, but ultimately became the norm for the Church. Do you have traditions you are afraid of losing, even if losing them helps the Church?

Welcoming EVERYONE - Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

 One of the earliest Christians was a eunuch in service to the queen of Ethiopia. As a eunuch, this servant was discouraged from many religious practices, but was interested in spiritual things. Phillip shared the gospel and immediately welcomed his new brother-in-faith to the church. This was signified with an impromptu baptism. Are you like Phillip, welcoming everyone into the family of God? Acts 8

Lessons in inequity

The first issue the early Church had to address was inequity in care for widows and orphans (Acts 6). The Greek population of the Church was receiving less care than the Jewish population. Rather than reduce care or attempt to explain away the inequities, the Church sought wisdom from God. God provided the disciples with a method that not only met their need, but actually spread the gospel throughout the world.

A dinner announcement

 

While dining with Jesus, Zacchaeus declared that he would give half of his wealth to the poor, and that he would repay anyone he had cheated in business with interest (Luke 19). Zacchaeus's self-sacrifice did not save him, but it did show just how serious he was about following Jesus. How serious are you when it comes to your faith?

Can you see me yet?

Jesus' story of the rich man and the beggar, Lazarus, is disturbing for a number of reasons (Lk 16). In the story, the rich man never sees the beggar, Lazarus, as a real person. Even in Hell the rich man tries to have Lazarus perform the tasks of a messenger, rather than respond to the justice that was now playing out. Do you see others, or do you see the versions of others that fit your own purposes?

Who saw the resurrection first?

The first to learn of our Lord's resurrection were not the disciples or the religious leaders. It was the faithful women who were willing to tend the 3 day dead body of Jesus (Luke 24:1-12). While the greatest miracle ever performed was unfolding, Jesus included those of the lowest social order and gave them a significant place in the eternal story. How are you including others in the greatest story?

The problem with the cheering section

 

While entering Jerusalem, a crowd of excited followers cheered Jesus. The religious leaders were terrified that the occupying Roman army would overhear the crowd calling Jesus "king" and then kill everyone in the assembly (Lk 19). Jesus asserted that the crowd had to proclaim this, even though their proclamation would certainly result in Jesus' death. What stops you from praising Jesus with your words and life?

Who would you exclude?

Jesus was famous for accepting the least desirable people into his teaching sessions. This often irritated the religious scholars and those who sought to live pious lives (Luke 15). Jesus made it clear that God loves everyone, especially those who are disenfranchised. In Luke 15, Jesus managed to teach both groups at one time, showing that he cares for all.  Who you would exclude from attending church or Bible study? 
 

Bargaining with God

 

In our attempts to avoid suffering, we often try to bargain with God or find some key activity that will ensure our safety or success. In Luke 13, Jesus teaches that hardships are not the result of a person's specific sin, but a result of our fallen world. The hope of the Christian is not for an easier life, but rather for the hope to come in the resurrection of our souls and of the world itself.

Mary participates in Bible study

When Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, Jesus commended Mary for choosing to listen to Jesus rather than participate in the activities usually associated with a woman of that time (Lk 10). Martha was left to perform the tasks that Mary neglected, and we have to wonder, why was Martha not invited to leave her work to join the disciples in this time of learning? Is there anyone you have not invited to Christ?

Coming off the mountaintop

 

When Jesus and his disciples returned from the one of the greatest experiences of imaginable, they were met with a man needing immediate healing for his son (Lk 9). Christ did not rebuke the man, but provided immediate relief. How do you respond when your "mountaintop" experience is cut short by other's request for help and attention?