Remembering the Good Old Days - or not

 

Many of us are tempted to rewrite our histories to be happier or somehow better than our current circumstances. Even Gods' people began to feel nostalgic for their days of slavery, because of the food that was available (Ex 16). As Christians, we might be tempted to think that a particular decade was more moral, or more spiritual because we fail to recall all happened in that time.

Saving vs hoarding

 While most Christians consider it wise to set back a portion of wealth for use in case of an emergency, there is a difference between saving and hoarding. The Israelites had to trust God every day for their provision of food while in the wilderness (Ex 16), and were unable to accumulate wealth by holding it back. How tightly do you hold onto your savings? Do you trust God for your well-being or are trusting in your savings?

Social Media formation

 Christians have long understood the importance of personal and communal spiritual formation. While we seek to be formed into someone more like Jesus Christ, we will often find other interests that are ready to take the place of spiritual formation and mold us to be less like Christ (Rom 12:2). What forces in your life do find influencing how you behave?

Waiting on God

 

God's miraculous call of Moses to service (Exodus 3) occurred when Moses least expected it. Before receiving God's word and a commission to do God's work, Moses had to remove his shoes and come closer to the burning bush. We often try to force God to respond to our need for instant attention rather than waiting on Him in daily prayer and mediation. How do you wait on God?

Jacob's Ladder

 Jacob's dream of the ladder (Gen 28) reaching to Heaven and accommodating angelic movement might remind us of the way Christ bridges the mundane and ordinary bits of life with full presence of God Himself (1 Tim 2:5). How is God trying to break into your life today?

The miraculous in the mundane

 Jacob experienced an unusual revealing of God while he slept in the desert (Gen 28). This miraculous vision caused Jacob to understand that the land he had slept on was special, and deserved his attention. Are you able to see the wonders God is showing you in the seemingly mundane moments of your life?

Finding God on the run

 

The Bible often describes its heroes as flawed sinners on a journey toward reconciliation and relationship. For example, Jacob's first encounter with God occurred while he was running away from his brother, who after being cheated by Jacob was now intent on killing him (Gen 28).  After many years of God's presence, Jacob becomes able to face his wrongdoing and his brother. What are you running from?

Abraham's radical obedience

 In Gen 22 Isaac asked his father, Abraham what they were going to sacrifice on the altar they were about to build. Abraham's responded that "...God will provide himself a lamb..." But God had asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, not an animal, on the altar. Did Abraham have faith that God would not actually force him to kill Isaac, thus giving Abraham the willingness to obey? How has your faith helped you obey God? 

Answering in humility

 

Christians often feel we need to answer every critique or question posed about our faith. While Christians are told to "...give an answer..." (1 Pet 3:15) to those ask about our faith, we might do well to remember that being able to relate our personal experience with God and why we believe what we believe is different from being a "know it all" who has all the answers to everything. Are you able to answer in humility?

Life out of chaos

 

God's creation began with a chaotic mass, or void (Gen 1). From this place of confusion God created life and brought a sense of order to sustain that life. In our times of confusion and disorientation, Christians can take comfort that God is still bringing life and the means to sustain that life out of our personal chaos. God not only masters the chaos, but fashions it into something amazing. Let us take heart in times of chaos.

Does your humility outweigh your privilege?

 

Jesus seemed to insult the Syrophenician woman when she asked he heal her daughter (Mark 7). Jesus's response was the way Syrophenicians treated Jewish people. By exposing the possible prejudices, Jesus gave the woman an opportunity to declare herself different. Her humble response was rewarded and her Jesus granted her daughter the healing she needed. How often do you come from a place of privilege?

Privilege and humility

Mark 7 presents us with an unusual story of Jesus refusing a request for healing. The requestor was a woman from a region known for wealth. Jesus removed her apparent privilege by telling her that his ministry was to Israel first. The woman humbly asked that she be granted a "crumb" from the table and in declaring her unworthiness, her request was granted. What expectations do you have for God and for those around you?

Lydia loves God and receives the gospel

 

The story of Lydia reminds us that God loves all kinds of people. Lydia was a gentile entrepreneur who worshipped God and received the gospel when Paul presented it (Acts 16). Like Lydia, there are many who might defy our expectations of what a God worshipper. How do you share the gospel with others? 

The stories we don't tell

 

Some Bible stories can be hard to read because they accurately depict man's sinful nature. Tamar's story (Gen 38) is one of those stories. In this story, Tamar is denied her only avenue of security and she response by blackmailing her oppressor. Rather than looking for righteous hero in this story, we might do well to let it remind us that systems of oppression produce desperate people who need our care.

Sisera's misplaced trust

Sisera, trusted his large and sophisticated military to win the battle with Israel (Judges 4).   Sisera's trust proved to be poorly placed when his army was completely destroyed by Barak's men. Seeking refuge, Sisera again trusted poorly, by asking Jael to hide him. She killed him in sleep, further humiliating him. As Christians, we trust in God, not in armies or political powers. Who do you trust to keep you safe?

Can you give what has been given?

Sometimes we justify our greed and refuse to help others because we feel they are dishonest and taking advantage of us.  Maybe we are afraid it will make us look weak, or gullible if we give to someone who doesn't really need the help as much as they say. As Christians, we know that we deserve none of the good gifts God has given us (James 1:17), and that we are really giving away what was given to us.

The undeserving...

 The core principle of Christianity is that God loved us so much, that He sent His Son to die for us, even though we did not do anything to deserve His love (Rom 5:8). How are displaying love for those who don't seem to deserve it?

Extending radical kindness

 

The early church was known radical care and kindness. Often reaching beyond the bounds of ethnicity or even religion, the early church was known as a group who would literally give the shirt off their back for anyone in need (Luke 6). How would others respond to modern Christianity if we considered their needs above our own needs? Can you think of a way to put others first this week?

Ruth joins the story of the Bible

 

Although no law forced her to, Ruth purposefully tied herself to her mother-in-law. (Ruth 1)The reason for such a strong bond is not truly known, but by Ruth's actions seem to indicate she cared for others and for the God of Israel. By showing unusual kindness, Ruth becomes part of the Bible story and one of Christ's ancestors. What unusual acts of kindness can you perform today?

Dealing with change

 

The Bible often describes crisis moments that required God's people to choose bold, new ways of living or even worshipping. Ruth and Orpah (Ruth 1) face this kind of decision when their husbands die and their mother-in-law decides to leave the country. While facing change is trying and frightening, God's people have always relied on Him to help them navigate the changes and still remain faithful to His word.