Category: Scripture ponderings

Sermon Seeds: Take Time to Rest

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Remember the Sabbath, and keep it holy (Exodus 20:8).

The Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27).

Let us make every effort to enter that rest (Hebrews 4:11).

What do we do with God’s instruction to keep Sabbath? How do we do it in the 21st century? So much information is available about the topic of Sabbath…and a lot of opinion.

 

What if instead getting lost in the legalism of keeping—like the Pharisees did in Jesus time—we just decided to, as Lynne Baab suggests: “just establish sabbath patterns that nurture intimacy with God (p.12, Sabbath Keeping).”

Merely emptying our day of certain activities is like suggesting fasting is just the absence of eating. If we don’t fill up the time with God-honoring relational activities the absence is just absence…it’s meaningless.

And what about the people who have to work on what we would typically consider the Sabbath or Lord’s Day (and don’t get me started on the differences)? Are doctors, nurses, firefighters, and police—to name a few—doomed and damned because their schedules require them to work? Is it ok for pastors whose number one work day is the Lord’s Day to carve out time on a different day of the week?

Does Jesus look at us with our scattered and scurry-filled lives and offer the same invitation he gave to those who he saw chaffing under the unbearable load of rules and expectations?

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message).”

Baab tells of a woman, Ann, who had been keeping sabbath for over 30 years. She says: “The sabbath is one of those gospel duties that absolutely convinces us of the goodness of God. The more we practice it, the greater a privilege it becomes, the more essential it feels, the deeper it connects us to the river of life that provides fruit in all seasons…The sabbath-keeping command is like the promise, “O taste and see that the Lord is good (p. 17, Sabbath Keeping).”

One more thought from Baab: Only in stopping, really stopping, do we teach our hearts and souls that we are loved apart from what we do (p. 18, Sabbath Keeping).

As a child, back when we Sunday afternoons were heavy-laden with restrictions, I didn’t understand why…and I had no appreciation. None of it seemed like a gift. It was a lot like fasting: I just came away wanting more—but never more of God.

It’s quite revolutionary to think that this command to rest comes as part of God’s lavish love for us and his amazing grace.

Wednesday Words: Strength

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For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13, NLT).

This is exactly the word I needed for today. I need some of that “withstanding” power.

What great or pressure is coming down on you?

Whatever it is God is able to give you exactly what you need to face it, stand up under it, overcome it, and persevere.

Do you feel like you’ve reached your full capacity—can’t take any more?

Good.

Reach out to the capacity maker and capacity filler…he has all the strength you need.

Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you (1 Chronicles 28:20a NLT).”

Sermon Seeds: Don’t Shame the Family Name

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Do not carry the Lord’s name in vain (Exodus 20:7).

Recently I was having a discussion about the meaning of this commandment. Our conversation reminded me of how important “the family name” used to be. And the oft repeated instruction to not do anything to bring shame to the family name.

Can you remember the last time this was a concern? Me, neither.

I wonder if our casual treating of family name and family honor hasn’t seeped over into our treatment of God’s holy name?

Perhaps that’s why Paul came down so hard on the early Christian church. Paul was raised to adhere to the Law and the Commandments. In his pedigree recital to the Philippians (see Philippians 3) he mentions being from the tribe of Benjamin right off the bat. He also said to the Colossians and the Corinthians:

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17, NIV).

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV).

Even Jesus thought this was important enough to include in his teaching on prayer with the disciples: Father, make your name holy in all I do (author’s paraphrase of Matthew 6:9).

As I was putting the finishing touches on this, a thought occurred to me. Historically, shaming the family name could have devastating and long-lasting consequences. Shunning and be disowned, cut off from the family forever, were not unheard of.

I’m thankful that it doesn’t have to be that way in the family of God. A quick read through the Bible shows that many of the recognizable characters had moments of shame. The good news is ours is a God of unfailing love, reconciliation, and restoration.

So as you head out the door today, what will you do to make Papa proud? Bring glory not shame to His name.

 

Hopefully Devoted: Even Though

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Yesterday I listened in on an excellent teaching by Andy Lee. I love her “Bite Of Bread” ministry. The verse she drew from was Romans 8:28: And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (NLT).

I confess I got stuck on the word “good.”

Here’s the comment I left for Andy after the study: “As you were teaching, I found I was focused on the idea of good…God’s ways are not our ways, we don’t think alike—and we don’t work from the same experiential dictionary or definitions. His concept of what is GOOD for us may not fall within our ability to comprehend, and that may be in part because we are focused on the immediate rather than the future and the big picture which he can fully see. Seeds for more thinking.”

So how interesting it was for me that I found these words when I opened my devotional today: “God alone holds the “big picture of our existence.”

The scripture quoted above was the recommended reading to go along with the devotion.

In essence, Habakkuk is saying: “Even though every thing goes wrong. Even though nothing goes the way I wanted or planned. Even though…yet.”

Yet I will rejoice.

Even though God is working things in a manner that I don’t understand, that hurts, that I don’t want no way, no how. I am going to trust that he knows what he’s doing because he sees the big picture. He knows. And I will rejoice in that knowledge. I will rest in it.

He is my strength to get to the other side of “even though” to rejoicing.

Word Wednesday: Daring

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A soon as I hear the word DARING, I think of Daniel and the old hymn, “Dare To Be A Daniel.” The Old Testament prophet dared to defy the King’s edict and continued to pray. His courage was then further put to the test as he was thrown into the den of hungry lions.

How could he do it?

Perhaps he held onto the words God gave to Joshua as he took over leadership of the nation of Isreal entering the Promised Land:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9, NIV).

That which enabled and emboldened Daniel is available to us today.

When God “commanded” Joshua, the word is not ordered as much as picked or chosen. God doesn’t choose us and then shake his head wondering why (My bad, I picked you.). If he chooses us—like he chose Joshua, or chose Daniel—he is ready to give us the necessary courage or boldness for the task at hand.

Will we trust him? Will we dare to be a Daniel?

Sermon Meme: Third Commandment

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The third commandment is most often translated: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. More modern translations have recognized the larger meaning—it’s not just a matter of speech—and now use “misuse.”

The Hebrew is more literally translated: “Do not carry the name of the Lord thy God in vain.”

With that in mind, I have opted to consider putting this in the positive for my sermon meme.

How do you carry the Name of God?

2018 Focus: Pace

Eugene Peterson uses a phrase in his translation of Matthew 11:28-30 that is one of my favorites. Jesus’ invitation comes out this way:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Unforced rhythms of grace.

Quietly meditating on this phrase, the word pace bubbled up.

I tend to live my life at one of two paces: frenetic or sloth. I’m either going 90mph or not going at all. And typically, I end up having to go the speed of light because I’ve spent too much time ambling along. And I’m sure that may come as a surprise to those who only think I’m the blur rushing by them—I’m a very private turtle.

This dichotomy of pace has resulted in being labeled a procrastinator. I find that to be such a pejorative term. I just work best with a deadline.

There was a time when I was not considered for a position because I owned how “organization” is not one of my natural strengths. I can do organization—I just have to focus and be intentional. I can make charts and checklists. I know the value of a calendar (and looking at it). I also know how to put reminder alerts in my phone.

In Meyers-Briggs language, I’m a very strong P: I fly by the seat of my pants and my sock draw would drive most people crazy—it does me at times.

So am I going to remain a slave to my personality and wiring? Only if I want to.

The invitation of Jesus quoted above overflows with hope: Learn. I can be taught. I can overcome. I do not have to stay the same.

And neither do you.

Let’s look to him and learn a new pace. A new rhythm of living. A rhythm of grace.

 

Sermon Seeds: No Idols

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You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God (Exodus 20:4-5a, NIV).

Confession. I’ve never quite understood the concept of a jealous God. Attributing jealousy to the Almighty, Omnipotent, Creator of the universe, seemed at the least odd and even demeaning.

Too human.

Thinking of God as jealous conjured up memories of spurned girlfriends and boyfriends on the school playground, or the yucky feeling I got when my brother got the attention and accolades from our parents that I was craving.

Surely, God is bigger than that, isn’t he?

Yes. And perhaps the problem comes because we don’t read the complete definition of jealous. We miss the part of the definition that says: fiercely protective or vigilant of one’s rights or possessions.

If we look to the intro of this passage, Exodus 20:2, we see that God identifies himself as the Lord God who rescued the people from slavery in Egypt. Paul describes God’s action as having bought us (1 Corinthians 6:20). The story of Hosea and how he bought back his wife is the metaphor for what God has done, and continues to do for his people.

And he is fiercely protective of his possessions. There is some incredibly good news in this. It’s why we can read the 23rd Psalm and feel good, or think of the warm welcome of the Prodigal and feel hope.

But every choice will bring consequences—good or bad. So, choosing to worship anything other than God will incur his wrath and discipline.

We get into trouble by “worshiping anything that ought to be used or using anything that ought to be worshiped (St. Augustine).” For example material possessions, knowledge, sex, science, or political parties. These things grab our devotion, our time, our attention.

Jesus spoke to our twisted tendency in his sermon on the mount: your heart will be where your treasure is (Matthew 6:21). What we passionately pursue becomes our treasure, it supersedes our relationship with God and is an idol.

And God says, “Don’t do it.”

As we work our way through these ten commands, we will see that God wants us to basically get two relationships in proper perspective: our relationship with him, and our relationship with others. No other God except him—God the Creator, not anything we would try to put in his place.

 

Hopelessly Devoted

Thursday brings new thoughts from my devotions this week.

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Today’s devotion challenged the way I look at work. One of the scripture references comes from Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (NIV).

The phrase that jumped out at me is “with all your heart.” In the myriad of translations, you might read: heartily, willingly, enthusiastically, or with all your soul.

My husband is quite exceptional. I know a lot of wives feel that way, but Nelson knew about my calling before he married me, but nothing could have prepared him for this journey. And I will admit some of my choices have made things considerably more challenging than they needed to be.

One of the most difficult things has been finding meaningful employment that also provides the necessary financial support with each move. I knew I was probably never going to be paid enough to support our family.  I didn’t answer this call thinking it would make me rich in worldly possessions.

Right now Nelson is traveling weekly to the Buffalo/Niagra area to work. That’s about five hours from home. He works long days: 3:00am to 6:00pm. Monday through Friday. And it’s a job he used to do and hated.

So why would he go back to that work? Why would he do leave family and home?

Because God provided.

And because he decided long ago to live his life—which includes his work—for God.

This “with all your heart” is not a mushy, sentimental thing. The apostle Paul is speaking about a matter of will, of choice. Being willing is like in the marriage ceremony when the officiant asks, “Will you take this man/woman?” And the response is “I will.” It’s a choice, a commitment of the will.

So today, will your commitment be to rejoice in your work? Not because it’s your dream job, or you love what you do—but because whether it’s wonderful or drudgery, it’s a gift from God.

May your grind be grand today as you go through it with God.

(And don’t think you’re off the hook just because you’re “retired.” Paul is very clear this is about “whatever your hand finds to do.” Not punching a time clock doesn’t buy you a free pass 😉)

 

 

Wednesday’s Word: Juvenescent

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How are you growing?

Recently, I was driving through a new town. I ended up lost—thanks Siri.

The neighborhood I found myself in could be described as old, tired and run down. I felt a kinship to the houses crying out for fresh paint and younger hands. But I quickly remembered the encouragement of my grandson who tried to reassure me: “You’re not oooolddd, Mema.” For some reason I translated that, “You aren’t the ancient ruins of the Colesium, Mema.”

Growing young reminds me of two Bible verses. The first comes from Jesus who when the disciples were arguing over who would be greatest held up a child and declared: Unless you become as a child you will not inherit the Kingdom of God. And the second is Peter’s admonition to grow in grace and knowledge—literally: keep growing.

I’m surrounded by people pining for retirement. I get how good that might sound. But I am fearful of a mindset that sees retirement as permission to stop: stop growing. I pray for a different attitude, a youthful mindset that seizes every opportunity to grow young.

How are you growing?