Tag: Psalm91.com

Waiting

Jeff

Today is Saturday, the 30th day of March, 2024, in Holy Week, the final week of Lent. It is the final day of the Lenten Season.

May the peace of Christ dwell within you today!

Day 24,124

Resurrection Sunday is tomorrow. But today is the darkest day of the Church calendar. Last night, as our Good Friday service ended in darkness and silence, we left Jesus in the sealed tomb. Today, we wait.

I’m actually glad, as I shared with my pastor last night, that I am scheduled to work today, as it keeps me occupied, and I won’t be sitting around at home with nothing to do.

The service last night was beautiful but gut-wrenching. I wasn’t quite as torn up as last year, because I knew what was coming. And I was doing pretty well until they started turning lights out. S did go with me, which was great. I didn’t warn her, though, about the slamming shut of the missal at the end, and that startled her. And when the choir exited the sanctuary, after everyone else was gone, she was in tears in the narthex. So we hugged real good for a minute before I went to take my robe off.

The music for the service was beautiful, as well. As the altar was being stripped at the end, the string quartet was playing “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus,” one of my favorite hymn tunes. I will share that when the video becomes available.

Speaking of videos, here is the video of just the choir piece from Maundy Thursday. I know I share the whole service, yesterday, but this is just the choir piece.

JESUS TIME

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; 
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, 
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation 
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
(Based on Psalm 51)
Spirit of God, 
let Your light pierce the darkness of our lives. We rest in You today, waiting patiently for the resurrection that we know – we can feel – is coming. Take the burdens we bear and transform them as Jesus transformed the Cross into salvation. Let tonight be the first stirring of our new lives to walk (and remain walking) in the holy will of Christ.
 It is in Your good and holy Name we pray, amen.
(Prayer for Holy Saturday, Psalm91.com)
Lord Jesus Christ, on this day, You rested in the tomb and thus transformed our graves into a place of sleep from which we shall awaken at Your return. As we labor and live under the burden of the curse in this fallen world, grant that we may always seek and find our rest in You. You alone can bring us true peace and contentment and relief, for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Holy Saturday)
We put our hope in the LORD. 
He is our help and our shield. 
In him our hearts rejoice, 
for we trust in his holy name. 
Let your unfailing love surround us,
 LORD, for our hope is in you alone.
(Psalms 33:20-22 NLT)

Today I am grateful:

  • that my hope is in the Lord alone; He is my help and my shield, and I trust in His holy Name
  • for the beautiful Good Friday service, last night, and that, even though it ended in darkness and silence, hope remains, and the darkness shall not prevail over the Light
  • that we may find our rest in Jesus Christ and His life
  • for the glory of the Lord, more majestic than the mountains
  • for the steadfast love of the Lord, reaching beyond the heavens

“Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
(John 1:29 NRSV)

O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; 
and by night, but find no rest. 

But you, O LORD, do not be far away! 
O my help, come quickly to my aid! 
Deliver my soul from the sword, 
my life from the power of the dog! 
Save me from the mouth of the lion! 

From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me. 
I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; 
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: 
You who fear the LORD, praise him! 
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; 
stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 
(Psalms 22:2,19-23 NRSV)
Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. 

On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
(Luke 23:50-56 NRSV)

Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.
(Mark 15:46-47 NRSV)

“Though we may find ourselves with dwindling hope, we have a perfect example in Christ Jesus, who hoped that all things would work for the good of God – and His hope was perfectly fulfilled when His blood was shed for the sins of all time and space. Christ Jesus still hopes – since it is the Father alone who knows the day of His return – that there will be a day where there is no more hunger or thirst or pain or suffering, and when every tear is wiped away.”

"O God, our Heavenly Father, 
as the sun begins to set this evening, we can already hear the drums, the cymbals, and the lyres making a joyful noise to the God who defeats death. Though we are about to enter into the feast which knows no law, teach us in the coming days to strive after Prudence, Justice, Courage, and Temperance. Teach us to treasure in our hearts the faith You have given us, the Hope You have promised us, and above all the love that lasts into eternity. To You, O God, who raised Your Son from the Dead, who sent the Holy Spirit to guide the Church, be all glory now and forever. 
Amen."
(Spiritual Contemplation of Christs Suffering, Holy Saturday)

“For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
(Luke 14:11 NRSV)

“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
(Matthew 6:1-4 NRSV)

In Judah God is known, his name is great in Israel. 
His abode has been established in Salem, 
his dwelling place in Zion.
 There he broke the flashing arrows, 
the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. 
[Selah] 

Glorious are you, 
more majestic than the everlasting mountains. 
The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; 
they sank into sleep; 
none of the troops was able to lift a hand. 
At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, 
both rider and horse lay stunned. 

But you indeed are awesome! 
Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused? 
From the heavens you uttered judgment; 
the earth feared and was still 
when God rose up to establish judgment, 
to save all the oppressed of the earth. 
[Selah] 

Human wrath serves only to praise you, 
when you bind the last bit of your wrath around you.
 Make vows to the LORD your God, and perform them; 
let all who are around him bring gifts 
to the one who is awesome, 
who cuts off the spirit of princes, 
who inspires fear in the kings of the earth.
(Psalms 76:1-12 NRSV)
Lord, grant us to find our rest in You, that we may share in Your life forever. In Jesus' name. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Holy Saturday)

Father, again I have no words to add to the Scripture readings for this day. None are necessary. We wait, along with the disciples of Jesus. But we wait with more hope than they, because we know the end of the story. They did not. I pray that our faith is strengthened during these days, as we wait, not for Christ’s resurrection, as that has already happened, but for His return. We are tempted, Father, to allow our hope to wane because it has been so long. We see world situations becoming increasingly fragile and hostile. And yet Jesus tarries. But He tarries at Your command, as You alone know the day and the hour of His return.

May we wait faithfully, Father, and while waiting, be faithful to share Your Good News with the world around us. Let us not become distracted by politics and worldly “causes” as we wait. The Good News is that Your kingdom is here, now, available for anyone to walk in because of Jesus Christ and His life, death, burial, and resurrection. 

"Forsaken God, 
you really did die. The cross was no theater or mere metaphor; you weren't whisked away badly injured yet alive. You set out to save, and you went all the way to death, fulfilling God's justice and truth, fully paying for my sin. And so today, between the cross and the resurrection, I wait for your salvation to dawn again in my life. 
Amen."
(Seeking God's Face - Holy Saturday)
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered 
to receive power and wealth 
and wisdom and might 
and honor and glory and blessing!"
(Revelation 5:12 NRSV)
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?
Wait for the LORD; 
be strong, and let your heart take courage; 
wait for the LORD!
(Psalms 27:14 NRSV)

Grace and peace, friends.

And Can It Be . . .

Jeff3 Comments

Today is Friday, the 29th day of March, 2024. It is Good Friday, in Holy Week, the final week of Lent.

May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in all ways!

Day 24,123

Resurrection Sunday is two days away. “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s comin’!”

Yesterday seems like it was quite busy. I did have some down time, mid-afternoon, though. My grocery order was late, twenty minutes past the delivery window, and there was no communication about it until ten minutes after the window, when I got a text saying I was the next stop. Immediately after that text, there was another one, stating that my delivery was delayed “less then 30 minutes.”

The driver said it was his first day and he got lost. I can accept that. I don’t blame the driver. What I can’t accept is that there was no communication about it until it was already that late. But it’s the first real negative experience I have had with them, so that’s cool. It just threw off my schedule for the day, because I had an eye doctor appointment at 11:00 and had planed to get dinner prepped and in the crockpot before I went to that appointment. So dinner plans were totally changed.

My eye doctor appointment went okay. But he saw something weird in my left eye that he didn’t like. He called it macular edema. He showed me pictures, which, of course, mean nothing to me. But he is sending me to a retinal specialist next Tuesday. It was concerning enough to him that he didn’t want to delay it. That’s a little scary. The “good news” is that my vision seems to have improved a bit. The reason “good news” is in quotes is that seems to be a thing that happens when cataracts begin to rear their ugly heads. Apparently, the vision gets better first, before it starts getting cloudy. I find that to be both amusing and mean. Hahaha! Anyway, he said I’m not in danger of needing cataract surgery for a few years, yet.

The Maundy Thursday service last night was good. The choir sounded good (in my opinion)(and the director said we were “gorgeous”), and the sermon was very good. I’ll post a link to the whole service, if anyone wants to view it. The choir starts at seven minutes.

The sermon, called “The Cup,” told us about the four cups of Passover, of which I had never heard before last night. But I’m largely ignorant of Passover, so that’s not surprising. And, in looking that up, this morning, I even learned that there are different versions of those four cups. Go figure. The point of the sermon, though, was that those four cups were replaced by the cup that Jesus drank, the cup of God’s wrath, which enabled us to drink from the cup of salvation, which I also refer to as the cup of life.

As is traditional, at the end of the Maundy Thursday service, there is no Aaronic blessing (Numbers 6:24-26). We leave Jesus getting arrested in the Garden. Tonight will be our Good Friday service, which ends in darkness and silence, full of sorrow, with hope temporarily lost.

Today is a resting day. I’m off work. C is off work (at least she’s supposed to be . . . I hope she can keep from doing any work). We’ll have a mid-afternoon meal, before I head back up to church for the choir’s 6:30 call. S says she is going with me again, tonight. That thrills me. Update: S may not go tonight, but I’m not upset if she doesn’t.

Oh, and it’s R’s birthday, today (our oldest, living in Indianapolis). Traditionally, we have storms and tornados and stuff around her birthday, but this year, the weather is mild today. In fact, we have had actual “Spring” for about three weeks now! I’m not sure how to act. That never happens in Texas.

Oh. Almost forgot. Baseball. The Texas Rangers won their Opening Day game, against the Chicago Cubs, last night, 4-3 in extra innings. David Robertson (1-0) got the win in relief. The Rangers are 1-0 for the season. Ironically, they are all alone in first place, as every other AL West team LOST!!

The Boston Red Sox won their Opening Day game, 6-4, with Brayan Bello (1-0) getting the win. Opposite of the AL West, the Red Sox are tied with three other teams, for first place, as only the Rays lost their Opening Day game. Can’t say I’m unhappy the Rays losing. The Yankees beat the Astros, so that helped the Rangers. The Red Sox beat Seattle, also helping the Rangers.

There are eleven teams with a 1-0 record, including the Rangers. The San Diego Padres and LA Dodgers are tied with 23 total runs (not really fair, because they played two games last week in Korea). The Diamondbacks lead the run differential column with +15. Whoa. They beat the Rockies 16-1, yesterday. Consequently, the Rockies are at the bottom of the run differential column with -15. The Padres have a two-game winning streak. Thirteen teams have a one-game losing streak. Four teams had their Opening Day games postponed, yesterday, and will hope to make them up today. This, apparently, is one of the reasons that there is always a day off between Opening Day and the next game.

JESUS TIME

Almighty God, merciful Father:
I, a troubled and penitent sinner,
confess to you all my sins and iniquities
with which I have offended you and for which
I justly deserve your punishment.
But I am sorry for them, and repent of them,
and pray for your boundless mercy.
For the sake of the suffering and death of your Son, Jesus Christ,
be gracious and merciful to me, a poor sinful being; forgive my sins,
give me your Holy Spirit for the amendment of my sinful life,
and bring me to life everlasting. Amen.
Heavenly Father, 
You sent Your Son into the world for our salvation. Give us the grace of perseverance so that we may be eternally freed from the bonds of sin and death. Make us rejoice in this gift of redemption, Lord; may we never lose sight of this precious Truth. 
It is in Your good and holy Name we pray. Amen.
(Prayer for Good Friday, Psalm91.com)
Lord Jesus, 
you carried our sins in your own body on the tree so that we might have life. May we and all who remember this day find new life in you now and in the world to come, where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
(Prayer for Good Friday, Lutheran Book of Worship)
Holy and merciful God, 
on this day, all the sins of the world were judged and answered for in the death of Your son, Jesus. With His declaration, "It is finished," You have given us the assurance that everything necessary to restore us to You has been accomplished. Help us to trust in Christ alone for our salvation. Grant that we may daily die to sin and rise to newness of life and finally enter into eternal communion with You. 
In Jesus' name. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Good Friday)
Those who love me, I will deliver; 
I will protect those who know my name. 
When they call to me, I will answer them; 
I will be with them in trouble, 
I will rescue them and honor them. 
With long life I will satisfy them, 
and show them my salvation.
(Psalms 91:14-16 NRSV)

Today I am grateful:

  • for these promises of God’s blessing and benefits for those of us who love Him
  • for this Friday, that we call “Good,” because of the sacrifice our Savior made for us, drinking the cup of God’s wrath, that we might be given the cup of salvation
  • for the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world
  • for Jesus’s cry, “It is finished!”
  • for the amazing love that brought all of this about: “Amazing love! how can it be, that Thou my God, should die for me?”

“Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
(John 1:29 NRSV)

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
(John 19:28-30 NRSV)

"Lord God, heavenly Father, 
look in favor upon us Your children and forgive us all our sins and comfort us with the redemption won for us by the sacrifice of Your beloved Son Jesus Christ. By Your enduring love may our hope increase in the fullest confidence in Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 
Amen."
(Spiritual Contemplation of Christ's Suffering, Good Friday)

At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
(Mark 15:34 NRSV)

Truly God is good to the upright, 
to those who are pure in heart. 
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; 
my steps had nearly slipped. 
For I was envious of the arrogant; 
I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 

For they have no pain; 
their bodies are sound and sleek. 
They are not in trouble as others are; 
they are not plagued like other people.
(Psalms 73:1-5 NRSV)

As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’
(Luke 23:26-29 NRSV)

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
(Luke 23:42-43 NRSV)

"Loving Lord, help us remember, during all of our Good Fridays, that You are present, helping, comforting, loving us."
(Marci Alborghetti, Walking in Grace, 2024, Good Friday)

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.
(Luke 23:44-46 NRSV)

"Lord, grant that when our time on earth is ended, we may confidently entrust ourselves into Your keeping. In Jesus' name. Amen."
(Portals of Prayer, Good Friday)
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 
Why are you so far from helping me, 
from the words of my groaning? 

All who see me mock at me; 
they make mouths at me, 
they shake their heads; 
"Commit your cause to the LORD; 
let him deliver—
let him rescue the one in whom he delights!"  

. . . they divide my clothes among themselves, 
and for my clothing they cast lots. 

But you, O LORD, do not be far away! 
O my help, come quickly to my aid! 
(Psalms 22:1, 7-8, 18-19 NRSV)
It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!" In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also taunted him. 

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "Listen, he is calling for Elijah." And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was God's Son!"
(Mark 15:25-39 NRSV)
Father, as I read all of these Scriptures, this morning, I add no words of my own to them. I simply sit and reflect on the amazing love of You, my God, and Christ my Savior. I sing in my heart, the words of the song the choir will be singing tonight at our Good Friday service, 

"And can it be that I should gain
And interest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?"
You, Jesus, my Savoir, drank the cup of God's wrath, fulfilling Scripture, that I might be presented with the cup of salvation, the cup of live! I cannot utter enough words to thank You, my Savior! O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise! I give you praise that I can also sing the final verse of that great hymn:

"No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?"
Crucified Savior, 
on this dark day it seems crass and opportunitstic to think of your death as an advantage to me. And yet, we call this Friday good because through your death, my old self is crucified, put to death, buried with you, and no longer rules. Today, I dedicate my life as an offering of gratitude to you. 
Amen.
(Seeking God's Face, Good Friday)
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered 
to receive power and wealth 
and wisdom and might 
and honor and glory and blessing!"
(Revelation 5:12 NRSV)
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?
This is the piece we are singing tonight.

Grace and peace, friends.

Behold the Lamb of God . . .

Jeff

Today is Wednesday, the 27th day of March, 2024, in Holy Week, the final week of Lent. Some refer to this day as “Spy Wednesday.”

May the peace of Christ surround you and yours today and every day!

Day 24,121

Only four more days until Resurrection Sunday!

Today is Manatee Appreciation Day. I don’t really have anything else to say about that.

Opening Day for the Texas Rangers is tomorrow. They will face the Chicago Cubs, in Arlington, at 6:35PM. Nasty Nate Eovaldi will take the mound for Texas. It’s strange that the opening game is in the evening.

Yesterday was a pretty good day around here. I did get some things accomplished. I had a decent night at the library, pulling books for my subscription bag patrons (I normally do those on Fridays, but I wasn’t there), and got a few books shelved, as well.

Today is my Wednesday to work, so I will be there from 9:15-6:15, after which I will head straight to church for tonight’s choir practice. I have Chicken Ranch Crockpot Soup going for tonight’s dinner.

JESUS TIME

Holy and Gracious God,
I confess that I have sinned against You.
Some of my sin I know - 
the thoughts and words and deeds
of which I am ashamed - 
but some is known only to You.
In the name of Jesus Christ
I ask for forgiveness. 
Deliver and restore me,
that I may rest in peace.
Loving Father, 
the apostle Peter said that he would lay down his life for Your Son. Soon after however, he was faced with terrible trials and testing and fell down. We, too, feel tested in this crucible of life right now. Give us the grace, Jesus, to never deny You in the face of our many challenges and shortcomings. We pray fervently for perseverance … to remain faithful and repentant until death. Please don’t allow us to be shaken or thrown off course by the various tribulations of our everyday life. But in all things, even sufferings, it is in You we place our trust. 
In Your good and holy Name we forever pray, amen.
(Prayer for Wednesday of Holy Week, Psalm91.com)

For in him every one of God’s promises is a “Yes.” For this reason it is through him that we say the “Amen,” to the glory of God. But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.
(2 Corinthians 1:20-22 NRSV)

Today I am grateful:

  • that in Christ, every one of God’s promises is “Yes!”
  • that the Father has placed on us the seal of the Holy Spirit
  • for Jesus’s promise to the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43)
  • for Jesus’s acceptance of the cup of God’s wrath, which resulted in me gaining the cup of life
  • for the beautiful sunrise I saw this morning, which reminds me of the glory of Resurrection Sunday
  • For the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world

“Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
(John 1:29 NRSV)

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
(Luke 23:39-43 NRSV)

"Lord Jesus, 
grant us perseverance, that we may never stop seeking You until we are with You in paradise. 
In Your name. Amen."
(Portals of Prayer, Wednesday, Marcy 27)

In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.
(Luke 22:44 NRSV)

"Gracious God, 
Your Son prayed in the Garden that Your will be done on earth as it is [in] heaven, even the forgiveness of sins. May the blood that Your Son shed for us continue to fill our cup with the blessings of faith to see Him as our Lord and Savior. 
Amen."
(Spiritual Contemplation of Christ's Suffering, Holy Wednesday)

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
(Ecclesiastes 3:1 NRSV)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 
Why are you so far from helping me, 
from the words of my groaning? 
O my God, I cry by day, 
but you do not answer; 
and by night, but find no rest. 

Yet you are holy, 
enthroned on the praises of Israel. 
In you our ancestors trusted; 
they trusted, and you delivered them. 
To you they cried, and were saved; 
in you they trusted, 
and were not put to shame. 

But I am a worm, and not human; 
scorned by others, and despised by the people. 
All who see me mock at me; 
they make mouths at me, 
they shake their heads; 
"Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver—
let him rescue the one in whom he delights!"
(Psalms 22:1-8 NRSV)
Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, "This man also was with him." But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him." A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, "You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, "Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean." But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about!" At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly. 

Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" They kept heaping many other insults on him.
(Luke 22:54-65 NRSV)

As we move through Holy Week, we get more vivid pictures of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. We see Him, today, sweating drops of blood in Gethsemane, praying that the cup be taken from Him, but, “yet, not my will but yours be done.”

We continue to be reminded of those horrible words that came from His lips as the sky went dark while He hung on the cross:

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Sometimes, those words just need to hang there. I would encourage you to use your imagination to view this scene and hear Him cry out those words, hearing them ring and echo in the ensuing silence.

We seen Him mocked by the crowds and by one of the thieves that hung beside Him. But we also see Him defended by the other thief who knew that he deserved the punishment he was getting. He knew that Jesus did not deserve it; “He’s done nothing wrong.” And that thing that Jesus then said to that thief . . . “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” 

We also see Him, as He is arrested, and then has to endure hearing one of His best friends and closest followers claim that he never knew Him or followed Him. The eye contact at that moment chills my soul.

This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. These are only some of the things He endured for our sake. In the last three verses of that Luke 22 passage, it is noted that they beat Him. They punched Him in the face; they pulled out His beard; the blindfolded Him, punched Him and tried to get Him to guess who hit Him.

And He, the Lamb of God, who takes away our sins, remained silent through all of this.

Worship Him. Follow Him. Serve Him. He is worthy.

Father, I thank You for the Lamb of God, for Jesus Christ, Your Son, who endured all of these things for my sake, for the sake of all of us sinners, so that we could have the opportunity to spend eternity in Your kingdom. Sure, this seems like a fairy tale to some, like a fantasy tale that belongs in the science fiction section. But we believe it, Father. I believe it with all my being, and have believed it since before I could read.

Some might say I’m brainwashed or “indoctrinated.” But I have had plenty of opportunities, in my 66 plus years, to decide that I don’t believe it. I have had doubts. I have deconstructed and reconstructed my faith multiple times (“deconstruction” is nothing new). And You, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, have kept me stable; You have kept my feet on the Solid Rock; You have kept me living in the grace by which I stand.

Yet, I, like Peter, have denied You, many times, if not by words, then by actions. I probably have never said, “I don’t know Him,” at least not verbally. But there have been plenty of times when I have gone places and done things that would indicate that I am no different then people who do not know You. And You always forgive and draw me back into Your grace. Thank You, Father, for Your marvelous, infinite, matchless grace!

"God, 
in Peter's betrayal, I see my own. In blindness of soul and hardness of heart, I turn my back on you, full of pride and fear. One glance from your bloodied face and I see my utter failure. 
Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. 
Amen."
(Seeking God's Face, Lent - Day 37)
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered 
to receive power and wealth 
and wisdom and might 
and honor and glory and blessing!"
(Revelation 5:12 NRSV)
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

Grace and peace, friends.

Without Him . . . Nothing

Jeff

Today is Tuesday, the 26th day of March, 2024, in Holy Week, the final week of Lent.

May the peace of God embrace you today and may You feel His love for you.

Day 24,120

Today is Love Long and Prosper Day, in celebration of Leonard Nimoy’s birthday. The “holiday” was initiated after he passed away in 2015.

I don’t really want to talk much about yesterday. It was a hard day, but mostly because of what I was trying to accomplish for S’s application with the Texas Health and Human Services Department. I spent a better part of the late morning and afternoon dealing with a couple of requests from them. Anyone who has ever dealt with forms and government services should understand the amount of frustration I experienced.

Literally, the only other things I got accomplished, yesterday, were my devotional blog (done before starting the other thing), cooking dinner, and my daily reading goal.

So today, I have laundry to fold, Subway and Sonic to go out and get, and then a work shift at the library from 4:15-8:15. And, if time allows, a book review on the book I finished yesterday (The Silkworm, by Robrt Galbraith). Oh, and I really need to get some trombone practice in.

JESUS TIME

Holy and Gracious God,
I confess that I have sinned against You.
Some of my sin I know - 
the thoughts and words and deeds
of which I am ashamed - 
but some is known only to You.
In the name of Jesus Christ
I ask for forgiveness. 
Deliver and restore me,
that I may rest in peace.
God of light, 
love and mercy, so often when we sin we hide ourselves from You – embarrassed of our shortcomings and weaknesses. But You know our hearts Lord, and You draw us near anyway in order to continue a good work in us. Thank You for Your forgiveness and Your patience; thank You for loving us despite our ignorance and failures. Help us to continue striving for holiness and perfect virtue; give us the grace to emulate You just as You exhort us in the Gospel of Matthew – calling us to be perfect just as You are perfect. 
It is in Your good and holy Name we pray, amen.
(Prayer for Tuesday of Holy Week, Psalm91.com)

The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
(2 Peter 3:9 NRSV)

Today I am grateful:

  • for the patience of God, as He desires all to come to repentance
  • for His love and mercy, drawing us near to Him in spite of our our imperfections and failures
  • for the atrocities that Jesus endured for our salvation
  • that even our own acts of generosity and giving are gifts from our Father above (James 1:17)
  • that it is very possible that Jesus cried out for my forgiveness while He hung on the cross (Luke 23:34)

“Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
(John 1:29 NRSV)

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
(Mark 14:10-11 NRSV)

"Father of all mercies, 
You gave Your Son into the hands of evil men so that He may bring to the completion Your divine plan of reconciliation. Create in us pure hearts that would seek forgiveness for our sins and recognize the love of our Savior. 
Amen."
(Spiritual Contemplation of Christ's Suffering, Holy Tuesday)

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”] And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
(Luke 23:32-34 NRSV)

"Lord, 
grant us merciful hearts that we may love our enemies and persecutors and bring Your reconciliation and forgiveness to all. 
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen."
(Portals of Prayer, Tuesday, March 26)

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
(James 1:17 NRSV)

And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.
(2 Corinthians 9:8 NRSV)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 
Why are you so far from helping me, 
from the words of my groaning? 

I am poured out like water, 
and all my bones are out of joint; 
my heart is like wax; 
it is melted within my breast; 
my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, 
and my tongue sticks to my jaws; 
you lay me in the dust of death. 

For dogs are all around me; 
a company of evildoers encircles me. 
My hands and feet have shriveled; 
I can count all my bones. 
They stare and gloat over me; 
they divide my clothes among themselves, 
and for my clothing they cast lots. 

But you, O LORD, do not be far away!
(Psalms 22:1,14-19a NRSV)
He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial." Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done." [Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.] When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial." 

While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, "Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?" When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?" Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!"
(Luke 22:39-53 NRSV)

I’ve got a couple of interesting thoughts brought on by my readings, this morning. The first involves one of Jesus’s last words on the cross, “Father, forgive them . . .” Side note: I just noticed, this morning, that, according to the NRSV translation, that statement may have been added later than the earliest manuscripts that we have.

But we have always taken that prayer, that cry from Jesus’s lips, to mean specifically the men who were, at that moment, crucifying Him. What if it’s deeper than that? What if Jesus, in His divinity, knowing all things as He did, was praying for each and every one of us that would be impacted by this act of sacrifice? I think that is well worth pondering.

It can’t be proved from Scripture, of course, because it simply doesn’t make it clear. But we have no problem with the sentiment that, “When He was on the cross, I was on His mind.” Sappy, but possibly quite true. If we can accept a sentiment like that, surely we can accept the possibility that, on the cross, Jesus Christ cried out for the forgiveness of everyone for whose sins He was dying. And we know that, of all people, God honors the prayers of His Son.

The second thing is something I noticed in James 1:17. Again, the NRSV translates this verse slightly differently than other main translations. Most translations say something like “Every good and perfect give . . . ,” where the NRSV says, “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift.” And when I look up the verse in a Hebrew setting, I see that there are two different words that are translated “gift” in the KJV.

So, thinking on the NRSV, this morning, it brings to mind that even our own acts of generosity are gifts from our Father above. This reminds me of something Jesus said in John’s Gospel.

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
(John 15:5 NRSV, emphasis added)

Of course, the greatest “generous act of giving,” is seen when Jesus hung on the cross, described so vividly, centuries before, by David. And this is what we are focusing on, during this week, as we follow Jesus’s path from Triumphal Entry to Resurrection. But even our own “generous acts of giving,” if we are following His commands, are gifts from above, “coming down from the Father of lights.”

Father, I thank You for the realization that, just maybe, Jesus, my Savior, cried out for my forgiveness while hanging on the cross. That touches my heart, this morning, and moves me to greater righteousness and holiness.

I also thank You for the realization (which I’m sure that, deep down, I already knew this) that even my own acts of generosity, feeble as they are, come from You, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, because without You, I can truly do nothing.

Help me to be even more generous, and to always give You the praise, honor, and glory in this..

"Crucified Lord, 
this week help me to remember how you sustained, in body and soul, the anger of God against the sin of the whole human race. Thank you for standing in my place, setting me free from eternal condemnation, and gaining for me God's grace, righteousness, and eternal life. 
Amen."
(Seeking God's Face, Lent - Day 36)
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered 
to receive power and wealth 
and wisdom and might 
and honor and glory and blessing!"
(Revelation 5:12 NRSV)
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?
The LORD bless you and keep you;
 the LORD make his face to shine upon you, 
and be gracious to you; 
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, 
and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26 NRSV)

Grace and peace, friends.

Since My Mother Bore Me

Jeff1 Comment

Today is Monday, the 25th day of March, 2024, in Holy Week, the final week of Lent.

May the peace and love of Christ flood your soul, today!

Day 24,119

Six more days until Resurrection Sunday!

Today is Tolkien Reading Day! Why is it celebrated on March 25? Because that is the date of the fall of Sauron.

We had a very nice, restful day, yesterday. Nothing much happened. We ordered lunch delivery from Cotton Patch, and I went to Sonic for drinks while we waited for that. We watched an episode of Suits while we ate, and then everyone scattered to various rooms of the house. Mama continues to feel good and get stronger. I got some reading done, then finished the evening playing Cyberpunk 2077 on the PS5.

I’m getting a grocery order between 11:00 and 12:00 today, and I’m thinking I will take S up to her doctor’s office around 1:00 PM, so she can get started on semiglutide injections. They do it at the clinic, and since it is strictly for weight loss, S’s prescription drug plan, which is Medicare-based, will not cover it. I also have to take a look at a form that we need to complete for her benefits, which is never fun. Otherwise, it’s a typical Monday at our house, which, after the events of last week, we are more than happy to see.

JESUS TIME

Holy and Gracious God,
I confess that I have sinned against You.
Some of my sin I know - 
the thoughts and words and deeds
of which I am ashamed - 
but some is known only to You.
In the name of Jesus Christ
I ask for forgiveness. 
Deliver and restore me,
that I may rest in peace.
Father of the poor, 
teach us to accept our own poverty of spirit. Take us beyond the curtain of faith and show us the blessings of possessing a generous spirit. We pray that You would give us the grace to give generously like Mary did so that we can stand boldly in Your favor. As You continue to work in our souls, Lord, we humbly walk with You this week. We are pained by what we know is coming and we are grieved by our role in it. As we follow You carrying our own crosses, we pray also for the grace to remain by Your side – bending, swaying, breathing, waiting. 
Lord Jesus, it is in Your good and holy Name we pray,
 amen. 
(Prayer for Monday of Holy Week, Psalm91.com)
a bruised reed he will not break, 
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; 
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
(Isaiah 42:3 NRSV)
"You always have the poor with you, 
but you do not always have me." 
(John 12:8 NRSV)

Today I am grateful:

  • for the testimony of Mary, who anointed the feet of Jesus with her perfume and tears
  • for the gift of a spirit of generosity; may I be faithful to always be willing to share that with which the Lord has blessed me
  • for new mercies every morning; the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases (Lamentations 3:22-23)
  • that God has been my God since the day I was born
  • for that day, in the fulfillment of God’s kingdom, when we will share the Communion meal with Christ, Himself

“Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
(John 1:29 NRSV)

Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
(John 12:3 NRSV)

"Merciful Lord, 
through the example of Your servant, Mary, You have revealed a glimpse of proper worship towards our Savior. Embolden us to turn from our sinful desires and evermore hold Christ in our hearts as our greatest treasure. 
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 
Amen."
(Spiritual Contemplation of Christ's Suffering, Holy Monday)
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, 
his mercies never come to an end; 
they are new every morning; 
great is your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22-23 NRSV)

“Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
(Matthew 6:26 NRSV)

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
(Matthew 10:29-31 NRSV)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 
Why are you so far from helping me, 
from the words of my groaning? 

"Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver—
let him rescue the one in whom he delights!" 

Yet it was you who took me from the womb; 
you kept me safe on my mother's breast.
 On you I was cast from my birth, 
and since my mother bore me 
you have been my God. 
Do not be far from me, 
for trouble is near 
and there is no one to help. 
(Psalms 22:1, 8-11 NRSV)
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it." They asked him, "Where do you want us to make preparations for it?" "Listen," he said to them, "when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters and say to the owner of the house, 'The teacher asks you, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"' He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there." So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. 

When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!"
(Luke 22:7-22 NRSV)

There are a couple of things that stand out to me, this morning, as I sit here, in the quiet, in the presence of God. The first is a statement from Psalm 22.

On you I was cast from my birth, 
and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
(Psalms 22:10 NRSV)

I have swung like a pendulum between various theology systems, throughout my life. I may swing, yet again, but feel much more secure where I am today. At one point, not too long ago, I was a staunch, five-point Calvinist, believing hard in predestination and so on. Today, I call myself a “recovering Calvinist,” but I still believe some of the tenets of that theology. But I also believe that we can’t put God in a box, because He is bigger than any box we could make.

Nevertheless, the truth of Psalm 22:10 strikes me, this morning. It is something I have not considered for a very long time. Just like all of you, I was born, one day. Then, since I was raised Southern Baptist, at one point, I made a confession of faith and was baptized. I was not baptized as an infant. I was nine years old when I was baptized. That was the event that ushered me into the Church of Jesus Christ; that was the event in which I began receiving the forgiveness of sins.

My act of being baptized did nothing. God’s action and work in that baptism did everything. I have come to believe, since then, that baptism (along with Communion) has a much more powerful place than just a symbol of something. I’m not getting into that, today, though. My point is coming up.

Even though I was not an “official” member of the Church of Jesus Christ until that baptism, I still believe that Psalm 22:10 holds a truth for me. I do believe that I was chosen by God, and that He has been my God “since my mother bore me.” As I sit here and ponder this, today, it is powerful. It makes me stop and consider everything that has taken place in my 66 years on this planet. There have been some good things and some pretty bad things. I have done some good things and I have done some very bad things. Many of those, I am cursed with remembering, while I am certain that God has intentionally forgotten them, casting them as far as the east is from the west.

All praise and glory to God!

But all of those things have worked together, in Him, for my good, and to bring me where I am today. I made some decisions, along the way, that have affected where I am today. Sadly, I can also remember some of the “bad” decisions.

This might cause some people to question the sovereignty of God. I do not. He is sovereign over all things. He also has given us choices; “free will,” some people like to call it. And, since God sits outside of time, I have no problem envisioning Him looking over multiple times lines of my life, each one dependent on which way my next major decision goes. Does it change God’s plan? Not at all. Does God care that much about my little life? To answer that question, go back up there and read those verses about the birds of the air!

The other thing that stands out to me, today, is that statement Jesus made at the Last Supper, where He says that He will not partake of this meal again until “it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” I can’t give you an explanation of what, exactly, that means, but I believe that it does mean that Jesus, sitting at the right hand of the Father, is waiting until He can have this meal again with all of us.

The amount of love that I feel from this is indescribable.

Father, when I stop and think of these things, I feel such strong love coming from You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. My cup overflows. How can I even think about sinning in the face of such love and care from You?

Yet, I do, don’t I? Every day. This grieves me, but it does not make me doubt my salvation, nor my love for You. It does not make me doubt my salvation, because that is not dependent upon my ability to be perfect. I cannot be perfect, and will not be until, as Jesus said, “it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” At that point, not only will I be perfect, there will not even be any temptation to sin, and my mind boggles at that thought. I cannot fathom the absence of temptation.

Thank You, Father, that I have been Your child since my mother bore me. I fully believe this. I know that there was a moment in time when I became a “member” of Your Church. But I believe that You have been my God since I was born, and that is a hill that I’m willing to die upon.

Thank You for that Baptism, that ushered me into Your Church and washed me clean from my sins. Thank You for weekly Communion, receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, which continues that process of forgiveness and absolution, and which sustains me, from week to week, through this life.

I pray for the hastening of that day when our Savior can eat this meal with us in Your fulfilled kingdom! What a day that will be . . .

"Perfect God, 
I bow my knee before the wisdom of the cross. The death of your spotless Son is the only and entirely complete sacrifice and satisfaction for my sins. It is of infinite value and worth, more than enough to cover not only mine but the sins of the whole world. 
Amen."
(Seeking God's Face, Lent - Day 35)
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered 
to receive power and wealth 
and wisdom and might 
and honor and glory and blessing!"
(Revelation 5:12 NRSV)
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, you heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
(Traditional Doxology)

Grace and peace, friends.

How to Be Enriched

Jeff5 Comments

Today is Saturday, the 23rd day of March, 2024, in the fifth week of Lent.

May you experience the peace of the Lord in your soul, today!

Day 24,117

Eight more days until Resurrection Sunday.

Today is National Melba Toast Day. I remember when I was a kid, whenever we would go to a restaurant that had those cracker baskets on the tables, I would always eat all the Melba Toast. I don’t know who Melba was, but I love her toast.

Mama wound up not getting her procedures done until last night at 6:00 PM-ish. But there was good news. There was nothing serious going on. They found a number of hemorrhoids, which they banded, some benign polyps, which were removed (and sent to pathology just to be safe), and some minor diverticulosis (not “-itis”). There was no bleeding found during the procedures, and they can’t say 100% what was causing the initial bleeding, but lean toward the hemorrhoids.

They gave her lots of pain meds last night, and we are hoping that she gets discharged today (sooner than later). C went ahead and stayed up there last night, as well. I don’t know if I’m going up there today; it depends on if they discharge her and when.

So basically the only thing on my agenda today is waiting. I’m trying to decide if I need to order some groceries, but I want to make sure that I get anything that Mama might need. I should probably start some laundry.

I believe that I will go ahead and go to church tomorrow. I’ll have to be there at 8:10 and stay until after 12:30 because of orchestra rehearsal. I will try to get some more trombone practice in today.

JESUS TIME

Most merciful God,
we confess that we are in bondage to sin
and cannot free ourselves.
We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved You with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us.
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,
so that we may delight in Your will
and walk in Your ways,
to the glory of Your holy name.
Amen.
“Lord, 
we think about birth and death today, two sides of the same coin. We celebrate one and fear the other. We come before You to pray for the grace to accept the inevitable cycle of life and the promise of Christ that death will never have the final word. Life-giving Father, teach us to find our purpose and our world in You. Thank You for all Your past, present and future blessings. Thank You for the gift of salvation. 
Amen."
(Prayer for Saturday in the Fifth Week of Lent, Psalm91.com)
Have mercy on me, O God, 
according to your steadfast love; 
according to your abundant mercy 
blot out my transgressions. 
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, 
and cleanse me from my sin.
(Psalms 51:1-2 NRSV)

Today I am grateful:

  • for the mercy and steadfast love of the Lord, who has blotted out our transgressions and washed us clean from our iniquities
  • for the richness of the upcoming week; may the busyness of the week not detract from its meaning and fullness
  • for the glory and strength of the Lord; may we be faithful to ascribe to Him the glory due His name in worship (Psalm 29)
  • that the Lord is constantly creating a new and clean heart within me (Psalm 51:10)
  • that God has created in me a generous heart; may I be always faithful to allow Him to rule in me
The LORD is just in all his ways, 
and kind in all his doings. 
The LORD is near to all who call on him, 
to all who call on him in truth.
(Psalms 145:17-18 NRSV)
You desire truth in the inward being; 
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; 
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 
Let me hear joy and gladness; 
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. 
Hide your face from my sins, 
and blot out all my iniquities. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God, 
and put a new and right spirit within me. 
Do not cast me away from your presence, 
and do not take your holy spirit from me. 
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, 
and sustain in me a willing spirit.
(Psalms 51:6-12 NRSV)
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, 
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 
Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; 
worship the LORD in holy splendor. 

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; 
the God of glory thunders, 
the LORD, over mighty waters. 
The voice of the LORD is powerful; 
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. 

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; 
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 

The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, 
and strips the forest bare; 
and in his temple all say, "Glory!" 

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; 
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. 
May the LORD give strength to his people! 
May the LORD bless his people with peace! 
(Psalms 29:1-5, 9-11 NRSV)
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. . . . I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the LORD," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. 
(Jeremiah 31:31, 33b-34 NRSV)

But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
(Matthew 6:3-4 NRSV)

A generous person will be enriched, 
and one who gives water will get water.
(Proverbs 11:25 NRSV)

There is a connection between our status with God and our level of generosity. I can say that I have experienced this for myself. It begins with acknowledging the truth of the opening psalm quote, that the Lord is just in all His ways and kind in all His doings. If we can’t get past that, then other aspects of our lives will be limited.

We must get to a point with God where we believe that He is just in everything He does, no matter how it may appear on the surface.

I started hanging my proverbial hat on a verse in Psalms a few years ago.

Our God is in the heavens; 
he does whatever he pleases.
(Psalms 115:3 NRSV)

That’s a bold truth. And it answers any question for which we don’t really have an answer. Another answer to those questions comes from Paul in Romans.

You will say to me then, “Why then does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use?
(Romans 9:19-21 NRSV)

I think there might be a similar sentiment in Job, but I’m not taking the time to look that up, this morning.

God is sovereign over all things. If we can’t get past that, then we may not even have a right to expect our prayers to be answered. But once we do accept this truth, the sky, in a sense, is the limit.

This progression eventually winds up in finding us to be very generous people. It is very telling to me when people who claim to be Christ-followers hold on to their resources with a tight fist. Especially when they don’t feel like people are doing enough to help themselves. They like to quote the non-existent Bible verse that says “God helps those who help themselves.”

Not only is that not in there, the truth is pretty much the opposite. God helps all of us who cannot help ourselves. That is one of the best definitions of grace; God doing in and for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

And the one who thinks himself self-sufficient has all he is going to get from God, kind of like the person who is “generous” so that people will notice and applaud him.

So the answer to the title, “How to be Enriched,” is to give it away. Take that proverb seriously. “A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water.” It doesn’t work the other way. If you wait until you get enriched to start giving, you will wait a long time. If you wait until you get more water to give water, you will run out of water.

We must be willing to give whatever God has given us. But we don’t have to worry about giving what we don’t have. God never demands from us what He has not given us. But He may demand all that He has given us . . . take a look at Abraham for that.

But it all comes back to that bit about His sovereignty. He is just and kind in all that He does. And we have no right to question Him. We may question Him, and He never punishes for that; He does not get angry when we question Him, I’m pretty certain. But we still have no right to do so. Because “Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.”

Father, I thank You for Your great and complete sovereignty over all things. You truly are just in all Your ways, and kind in all Your doings. You have the ultimate right and authority to do whatever You please. And Your existence outside of time (if I do understand this correctly, which I may not) makes all of this even more incredible and amazing. I love You, Lord, and I love Your ways.

I am still a sinful creature, I am well aware. I don’t seem to be able to go more than an hour or so without stumbling into some kind of sin. This flesh in which I am trapped leads me astray so often. But it never leads me into something into which I am not willing to go. So I pray that Your Spirit will keep working on me, to keep from stumbling off of Your path.

I thank You for creating such a spirit of generosity within me and my family. The blessings You have lavished upon us are so rich, and we enjoy sharing them with others who are needful. Please help us keep our eyes open, that we might see needs that we are able to meet. In addition, I pray that You would keep working on my love factor, that I would be able to love all people, regardless of any differences of opinion on anything. I acknowledge Your desire for me to love You with all my being, and to love others as I love myself. This world is in desperate need of a Love Revolution.

"Promise-keeping God, 
your covenant of grace, ratified with Abraham and renewed by the prophetic word, stands complete in Jesus Christ. In the new covenant of his death and resurrection I have full forgiveness and eternal salvation. May I live today in covenant faithfulness with you and my neighbor. 
Amen."
(Seeking God's Face, Lent - Day 34)

And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
(1 John 5:11-12 NRSV)

Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, 
have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us.
O, Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
grant us Your peace.
(Agnus Dei)

Grace and peace, friends.

Press On

Jeff

Today is Friday, the 22nd day of March, 2024, in the fifth week of Lent.

May the peace of Christ surround you, today, and drive away all of your anxieties and fears.

Day 24,116

Nine more days until Resurrection Sunday.

Today is National Goof Off Day. As if I need a special day for that. Actually, I will be doing a little more of that than usual, today, as I have elected to take the day off from my normal library shift in order to spend time at the hospital with Mama.

I don’t have much to update. They ordered a colonoscopy for today, as well as an EDG, whatever that means. I think that’s like a colonoscopy, only going through the opposite end (down the throat). Mama had a rough time with the colonoscopy prep, last night, as it caused some vomiting. C stayed with her again, last night. She is an absolute saint and I so do not deserve her.

I will be heading up there, later this morning, and will probably spend most of the afternoon up there, like I did yesterday. Nothing I can do, of course, but just being there helps Mama’s state of mind, I think. I’m very fortunate, as well, that my employers are understanding and flexible to allow me this time off to be with my mother. My job at the Hurst Public Library is the best and most rewarding job I have ever had, and they are the best people I have ever worked with.

JESUS TIME

Most merciful God,
we confess that we are in bondage to sin
and cannot free ourselves.
We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved You with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us.
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,
so that we may delight in Your will
and walk in Your ways,
to the glory of Your holy name.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, 
thank You for consecrating Jesus and sending Him to us. May we remain always united to Him so that the gift of our baptism might be unleashed, and we, too, may be sent to those most in need of Your good works. Open our hearts and increase our faith Lord, so that we are best able to reflect Your works and recognize Your hand working in our lives. 
It is in Your good and holy Name we pray, amen.
(Prayer for Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Psalm91.com)

“If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
(John 10:37-38 NRSV)

Today I am grateful:

  • that Jesus is doing the works of His Father, and that the Father is in Him and He in the Father; we rejoice in the knowledge that, because of this, the Father is also in us and we are in the Father
  • for good works prepared in advance, that we might walk in them
  • that Jesus took the curse of thorns upon Himself in order to free us from that curse
  • for the abundant goodness that is laid up for those who fear and take refuge in the Lord (Psalm 31:19)
  • that all of the accomplishments, achievements, and accolades that I have had in my life are pure rubbish compared to knowing Jesus Christ
The LORD is just in all his ways, 
and kind in all his doings. 
The LORD is near to all who call on him, 
to all who call on him in truth.
(Psalms 145:17-18 NRSV)

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face. Pilate went out again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God.”
(John 19:1-7 NRSV)

But I trust in you, O LORD; 
I say, "You are my God." 
My times are in your hand; 
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. 
Let your face shine upon your servant;
 save me in your steadfast love. 

O how abundant is your goodness 
that you have laid up for those who fear you, 
and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, 
in the sight of everyone! 

Love the LORD, all you his saints. 
The LORD preserves the faithful, 
but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily. 
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, 
all you who wait for the LORD. 
(Psalms 31:14-16, 19, 23-24 NRSV)
To you, O LORD, I call; 
my rock, do not refuse to hear me, 
or if you are silent to me, 
I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. 
Hear the voice of my supplication, 
as I cry to you for help, 
as I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary. 

Blessed be the LORD, 
for he has heard the sound of my pleadings. 
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
 in him my heart trusts; 
so I am helped, and my heart exults, 
and with my song I give thanks to him. 
(Psalms 28:1-2, 6-7 NRSV)
If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 
Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 

Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 3:4b-14 NRSV)

One of my readings stated that the first time thorns are mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis.

And to the man he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.”
(Genesis 3:17-18 NRSV)

It was part of the curse that God placed on creation because of the fall. Today, we see Jesus taking a crown of thorns on His head. It is said that those thorns weren’t your average rose bush thorns, but more like mesquite tree thorns, maybe two to three inches long. It is also said that the soldiers didn’t just “place” the crown on His head, but pounded it into Him with clubs.

Jesus willingly (and without complaint) took the curse of thorns upon His head; He took our curse and lifted it from us for all eternity.

Because of this, we can realize the truth of Psalm 31:19, which speaks of the abundant goodness that the Lord has for us. God our Father is not willing that we should remain under a curse, so He has provided the way out of it. If we fear Him (revere), and take refuge in Him, there is goodness in store for us. And the way we revere Him and take refuge in Him is by believing in His Son, the One who took that curse for us.

Paul had lots of things that he could boast about, as I’m sure most of us could come up with. I could list some accomplishments in my life. Not as impressive as Paul’s, I’m sure. Let’s see what I can come up with:

  • raised in an environment where I was taught to love and fear God
  • taught music since third grade and developed professional level proficiency in piano and trombone
  • learned guitar from age 12
  • played and sang in front of multitudes in my life
  • managed to have a good marriage with two wonderful daughters (39 years married, this year)
  • took my mother into our home a couple years ago
  • successfully retired in 2021
  • proficient and avid reader, having read almost 2000 books since 1974 (kept a record of all of those, as well)
  • have what I consider to be a decent understanding of theology

But here’s the thing. None of that matters. Just like Paul, I will willingly and eagerly say that all of this is rubbish compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord! Different translations give us different words for the Greek word “skubalon.” The KJV got it best by translating it pretty much literally: “dung.” Eugene Peterson rendered it “dog dung” in The Message.

Basically, everything that I could possibly list as accomplishments and accolades throughout my life are nothing more than dog poop (I spared you the word I wanted to use, there) compared to knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior!

Like Paul, I want “to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”

But also like Paul, I’m not there yet, so I “press on.” Jesus Christ has made me His own, so I press on to make this goal my own. I try to forget everything behind me (that’s a lot of forgetting . . . 66 years worth) and look only forward toward the goal. “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”

The next verse (not quoted above) is very interesting, as well. Here’s what Paul says next.

Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you.
(Philippians 3:15 NRSV)

Father, I thank You for the ability to see things this way. I am fully aware that anything that I have managed to do or accomplish in my life means nothing compared to the privilege of being called Your child, and knowing Jesus Christ as my Savior. I will not rest on any accomplishments. Yes, I am proud of some of them. I am pleased with my musical talent and things that I have done with it. But that talent came from You; it was not anything that I did on my own. That is why I have purposed, throughout my life to use that talent only for Your glory. I seek no glory of my own, because I am not worthy of any.

I am grateful that You have led me along the way and have kept me “pressing on” toward the final goal of eternity, the heavenly call. I have seen many get waylaid in their lives, some even going so far as to consider themselves atheist after once claiming to be a “Christian.” I cannot speak to the validity of their claims, but have always believed that, once we become followers of Christ, it is impossible to completely “fall away.” You know the truth of this matter, Father, and You are just and true in all things. All of Your works are just and righteous, and You are kind in all Your ways.

Help me, Father, to continue to press on, for however long my life lasts. I commit to continue using my gifts for Your purposes and for Your plan. Show me what You are doing in the world around me, and draw me into Your work. Help me to be obedient to the greatest commands to love You with all my being and to love my neighbors as myself. 

"Father,
 I seek to know nothing but Jesus and him crucified. When I take the full measure of your love in the cross, any worth I might think I have pales in contrast to the beauty and wonder of knowing Jesus Christ. I find comfort in his wounds and life in his death, which renders me perfect forever. 
Amen."
(Seeking God's Face, Lent - Day 33)

And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
(1 John 5:11-12 NRSV)

Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, you heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
(Traditional Doxology)

Grace and peace, friends.

Always A New Thing

Jeff5 Comments

Today is Thursday, the 21st day of March, 2024, in the fifth week of Lent.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always!

Day 24,115

Ten days until Resurrection Sunday!

Today is International Crunchy Taco Day. I may just participate in this holiday.

Unfortunately, our weekend to Glen Rose has been cancelled. My mother was admitted to hospital, last night, with diverticulitis. They ran bloodwork and CT scans, last night, and have ordered more tests for tomorrow, so it is doubtful that she will be released before we would have left on Saturday. We need to be around for her in case of being released or just to hang around there with her so she’s not alone there.

If you are of the praying sort, prayers for healing would be appreciated. We do not think this is life-threatening, but it is definitely serious. They said they would keep her in hospital until the internal bleeding is stopped.

So yesterday was a pretty rough day. When I took S to her therapy appointment, C was taking Mama to the ER. I went ahead and went to choir practice last night, and C didn’t get home until close to midnight. She took a shower, grabbed some stuff for Mama (tablet, change of underwear, charging cords, and so one) and headed right back up there to spend the night with her. The good thing is that, as far as I know, she is not experiencing any pain from this, just a lot of bleeding.

I will be heading up there later today. I’m not sure if I will try to go to work tomorrow or not.

Nothing else is on the agenda for today. I’m sure I will get some reading done, at some point, and will try to get some trombone practicing done, as well, as I am playing with the orchestra on Resurrection Sunday. As for whether I will go ahead and be at church this Sunday, I haven’t decided yet. They are not expecting me, but I may show up anyway, depending on how things progress (or don’t) tomorrow and Saturday. At least this is my Saturday off week.

JESUS TIME

Most merciful God,
we confess that we are in bondage to sin
and cannot free ourselves.
We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved You with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us.
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,
so that we may delight in Your will
and walk in Your ways,
to the glory of Your holy name.
Amen.
Jesus, our Lord, the Word Incarnate,
we ask You today to allow the overflowing richness of Your Word to dwell in us. We ask for the grace to not only take in Your Word, but for that Word to transform and amend our lives. We recognize Jesus that we are nothing without You, and we need You more now than ever. Enter into our minds and hearts and give us the courage to surrender everything to more faithfully follow You.
 It is in Your good and holy Name we pray, amen.
(Prayer for Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Psalm91.com)

Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.”
(John 8:58 NRSV)

Today I am grateful:

  • for the overflowing richness of the Word of God
  • for the way God’s Word transforms and amends my life
  • for this testimony of Jesus in John 8:58; in this, He both claims that He IS God and that He exists (present tense) before Abraham
  • that His grace is sufficient for me, and His power is made perfect in my weakness
  • that Christ was wounded for my transgressions, crushed for my iniquities, and by His wounds I am healed
  • that God is always doing a new thing

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
(2 Corinthians 11:30 NRSV)

Who has believed what we have heard? 
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 
For he grew up before him like a young plant, 
and like a root out of dry ground; 
he had no form or majesty 
that we should look at him, 
nothing in his appearance 
that we should desire him. 
He was despised and rejected by others; 
a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; 
and as one from whom others 
hide their faces he was despised, 
and we held him of no account. 
Surely he has borne our infirmities 
and carried our diseases; 
yet we accounted him stricken, 
struck down by God, and afflicted. 
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.
(Isaiah 53:1-5 NRSV)

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NRSV)

The LORD is just in all his ways, 
and kind in all his doings. 
The LORD is near to all who call on him, 
to all who call on him in truth.
(Psalms 145:17-18 NRSV)
Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, 
be gracious to me and answer me! 
"Come," my heart says, "seek his face!" 
Your face, LORD, do I seek. 
Do not hide your face from me. 

Do not turn your servant away in anger, 
you who have been my help. 
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, 
O God of my salvation! 
If my father and mother forsake me, 
the LORD will take me up. 

Teach me your way, O LORD, 
and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, 
for false witnesses have risen against me, 
and they are breathing out violence. 

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD 
in the land of the living. 
Wait for the LORD; 
be strong, and let your heart take courage; 
wait for the LORD!
(Psalms 27:7-14 NRSV)
Thus says the LORD, 
who makes a way in the sea, 
a path in the mighty waters, 
who brings out chariot and horse, 
army and warrior; 
they lie down, they cannot rise, 
they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
 Do not remember the former things, 
or consider the things of old. 
I am about to do a new thing; 
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? 
I will make a way in the wilderness 
and rivers in the desert. 
The wild animals will honor me, 
the jackals and the ostriches; 
for I give water in the wilderness, 
rivers in the desert, 
to give drink to my chosen people, 
the people whom I formed for myself
 so that they might declare my praise.
(Isaiah 43:16-21 NRSV)

There is much to consider in this morning’s readings, beginning with Jesus’s declaration of his preexisting Abraham. I have long noted that His statement is in present tense. “Before Abraham was, I AM.” Not, “I was.” “I AM.” In saying this, Jesus declares Himself to be God Almighty, and this is the main reasons the Jews wanted Him dead.

I don’t remember when, exactly, the idea of God being completely outside of time began to resonate with me. I used to say that God was “omnichronological,” adding that to all of the other “omni” words we use to describe God. But at some point, I realized that even that wasn’t quite accurate. It is not that God exists at all times at the same time. It is that He is completely and utterly outside of time.

It is not technically correct to say that God has always existed. It is more correct to say that God always exists. God is never in past tense. This makes my head spin, really, because we are trapped in time, prisoners of it. We cannot think in terms of eternal present tense, because “present tense” is already over before we can say the words.

It has been said that we only have this moment; all we have is “now.” But we don’t really have that, do we? Because the moment, the second you think it, it’s gone.

I apologize for the uber-philosophical moment, there.

But this is how God can hear and act on the prayers of everyone in the world. He has all the “time” in the world, because time has no effect on Him. I suppose it is even possible that He can see millions of time lines all at once, as well, each one depending on the decisions we make every day. That is beyond the scope of this humble writer, though.

I am encouraged by the passages from Isaiah, this morning. First, the famous passage from Isaiah 53. Jesus Christ has suffered for us. He was wounded for my transgressions, crushed for my iniquities, and by His wounds I have been healed. He willingly laid down His life for us.

The passage from chapter 43 is also encouraging. And it is enhanced by the idea of God being outside of time, as well. The truth of verse 19 . . . “I am about to do a new thing.” God is always doing new things! He is always delivering Israel from Egypt. He is always producing water from a rock in the wilderness. He is always tearing down the walls of Jericho. He is always making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert for us.

We are His “chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.” And my heart cries out for me to seek His face! (Psalm 27:8)

Last night, as I waited for choir practice to begin, one of our other choir members approached me. My mind and heart were occupied with my mother’s plight, and whether or not I should even be at choir practice. I was worried. I confess it. Worried about Mama; worried about C having spent so much time at the ER with Mama yesterday (pretty much ten hours, total, before Mama finally got a room). This woman who approached me had a bag, and in the bag was a t-shirt. She said she had won it at some conference or something (I don’t really remember) and it was too big for her. She pulled it out of the bag, and it said this:

I cannot tell you what a calming effect this had on me! I almost started weeping. Of course I know this! Anyone who is a true follower of Christ knows this! But we allow the circumstances to color our faith, sometimes. We allow them to occupy our thoughts and bring us down. But this simple message (this lady had no idea what was going on in my world at the moment) came as a message from God for that moment.

He is always doing something new. He did something “new” last night, and it gave me peace. I won’t claim that I have stopped worrying completely. It’s what I do best. But I am at least able to shove that down in the face of God’s sovereignty and care for me, and for Jesus Christ’s work on the cross that carries my iniquities and afflictions (and those of my mother as well).

Father, I praise You that You are always doing a new thing. Thank You for these wonderful reminders, this morning, from Your Word. Thank You for that gift, last night, from one who was willing to be Your messenger. Thank You for the truth that nothing is impossible in Your kingdom.

I praise You for Christ, who was wounded for my transgressions and crushed for my iniquities. May this truth be always in front of me, and convict me when I am tempted to continue down a path of transgression and iniquity. May Your Spirit remind me to never give up on You, no matter what the circumstances appear to be.

I praise You for Your grace, which is, indeed, sufficient for all things. Let Your strength and power be made perfect in my weaknesses, and may I boast in that and nothing else. I have nothing else to boast about, anyway.

“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, LORD, do I seek. 

"Everlasting God, 
in your boundless love you are doing a new thing. In Jesus, the only mediator, you have redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified me, with all your people. Continue that salvation in me today, through Jesus Christ, my mighty Savior, 
amen."
(Seeking God's Face, Lent - Day 32)

And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
(1 John 5:11-12 NRSV)

Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?
May the God of peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being--spirit, soul, and body--free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Amen.

Grace and peace, friends.

The Word is Alive

Jeff

Today is Wednesday, the twentieth day of March, 2024, in the fifth week of Lent.

May the peace of Christ surround you, today, and guard your hearts and minds!

Day 24,114

Eleven days until Resurrection Sunday. Three days until we head to Glen Rose for an extended weekend!

Today is the birth date of Fred Rogers, aka Mister Rogers. Because of that, it is recognized as Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day.

I had a fine evening at the library, last night, as always, made better by the company of my co-workers. The rest of the day was pretty good. Today, I take S to her therapist appointment at 1:00 PM, and then I have choir practice, tonight at 7:00. I’ll be cooking dinner between the two, so it will be a busy afternoon, evening.

JESUS TIME

Most merciful God,
we confess that we are in bondage to sin
and cannot free ourselves.
We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved You with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us.
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,
so that we may delight in Your will
and walk in Your ways,
to the glory of Your holy name.
Amen.
Beloved Jesus, our Lord and Savior, 
we desire to live wholly by Your Truth. Forgive us when our human tendency is to doubt and protect ourselves; to choose the easier way instead of Your divine and righteous way. Please, Lord, give us the grace to deepen our trust so that we may walk in the fullness of Your Truth without fear or reservation. 
It is in Your good and holy Name we pray, amen.
(Prayer for Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Psalm91.com)

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
(John 8:31-32 NRSV)

Today I am grateful:

  • that Jesus is the Truth and that following His Word will make us free
  • that our God will deliver us from all trials and afflictions
  • for the Word of God that keeps me grounded as I observe things around me in this world
  • for Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who, in His perfection, became the source of eternal salvation for us who are obedient to Him
  • for physical places of worship, where we can gather together

“I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me.”
(John 16:1-3 NRSV)

We must not be surprised when we are truly following Christ and we are hated an/or maligned by people from both the world and in “churches.” “Liberals and legalists will always find common cause against Christ and His church.” Note that I don’t care for labels, but the quote makes its point. If we are truly following Christ, we will get bricks thrown at us from both extreme sides.

"O Holy Spirit, 
Helper of all God's children, bring all Christ's warnings into our remembrance so that we are not scandalized in the hour of testing. 
Amen."
(Spiritual Contemplation of Christ's Suffering, Wednesday, Lent 5)

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 NRSV)

We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.
(1 Thessalonians 2:13 NRSV)

The LORD is just in all his ways, 
and kind in all his doings. 
The LORD is near to all who call on him, 
to all who call on him in truth.
(Psalms 145:17-18 NRSV)
Vindicate me, O LORD, 
for I have walked in my integrity, 
and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. 

O LORD, I love the house in which you dwell, 
and the place where your glory abides. 
Do not sweep me away with sinners, 
nor my life with the bloodthirsty, 
those in whose hands are evil devices, 
and whose right hands are full of bribes. 
But as for me, I walk in my integrity; 
redeem me, and be gracious to me. 
My foot stands on level ground; 
in the great congregation I will bless the LORD. 
(Psalms 26:1, 8-12 NRSV)
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. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
(Hebrews 5:5-10 NRSV)

It is easy to get swept away with current events, in these days. It is easy to get tainted by political opinion. This is why daily exposure to God’s Word is so important in the life of a follower of Christ. I shake my head at some of the things I see on social media, posted by people who claim to be followers of Christ. Especially when it waxes politically extreme.

I believe (and insists) that we are called to rise above these things. I rarely post anything political in nature. I don’t discuss who I plan to vote for in social media or in this forum. My “calling” is to encourage worship and prayer, and to press the necessity of following Christ’s commands to love God and love others.

These daily excursions into God’s Word are very important to me. They need to be even more important. I need to work on the habit of getting into it before I start doing anything else that distracts me. Lately, I have not been very successful at that, which is why, on mornings when I do not have to go to work, my blog might not get published until close to noon. I really need to work on that.

Nevertheless, it is the regular reading of and meditation on God’s Word that keeps me grounded and centered in Christ. God’s Word is powerful, as stated by the writer of Hebrews.

Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
(Hebrews 4:12 NRSV)

Paul also, in the verse from 1 Thessalonians, above, speaks of God’s Word being “at work” in us believers. And, of course, in the famous passage from 2 Timothy, Paul speaks of it being useful for “teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”

We believe that Christ is the embodiment of the Word, as John wrote in his Gospel. Jesus is the Word made flesh.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:14 NRSV)

And this Word, “having been made perfect,” became “the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:9).

Father, I praise You for Your Word; Your spoken Word, the written Word, and Jesus Christ, the living embodiment of Your Word. I thank You that regular doses of Your written Word can help me stay grounded and centered and to remember that, in Your kingdom, this world is a perfectly safe place for me to be. It reminds me, daily, that I have nothing to fear because You are always with me. It reminds me that, while I will have trials and afflictions, You will always deliver me from them.

I thank You that Your living Word dwells within me, and is daily working within me, to make me more like Jesus in all I say, think, and do. I pray that it would work more quickly, Lord, as I still am well short of being like Christ in this world. May Your Word burn within me, searing the pain of sin out of my flesh and soul. May Your Word cleanse me daily, creating in me a clean heart and putting a new and right spirit within me.

Thank you that Jesus Christ, in His obedience, because the source of eternal salvation for us all. I pray that more people will realize this and become obedient to His commands, which are not burdensome, but, in fact, “easy” if we walk in His easy yoke. 

"Jesus, friend of sinners - 
what friend would stand in my place like you? You presented yourself in my name, taking the wrath that was aimed at me; you offered yourself on the cross, pouring out your precious blood for the cleansing of all my sins. Thank you Jesus, my friend, my Savior and High Priest forever. 
Amen."
(Seeking God's Face, Lent - Day 31)

And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
(1 John 5:11-12 NRSV)

Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?
Every word of God proves true; 
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
(Proverbs 30:5 NRSV)

Grace and peace, friends.

“You Shall Know that I Am the Lord”

Jeff

Today is Tuesday, the nineteenth day of March, 2024, in the fifth week of Lent.

May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in all ways!

Day 24,113

Today is the first day of Spring!

Twelve days until Resurrection Sunday!

Four days until we go to Glen Rose!

Today is International Read To Me Day. I cannot overemphasize how important reading is. We should read to our children, in order to instill a love for reading in them. I have considered enquiring at local nursing homes to see if they need volunteers to read to their tenants. I haven’t done it, yet, but am considering it. I love to read, and have always loved to read out loud, as well.

I got quite a bit accomplished, yesterday, and have a little more to do today. But I also have tomorrow and Thursday to get any of these chores completed, as well, so there is no pressure.

Today is a normal Tuesday, so C is at the office, and I will be going to the library this evening for my four-hour shelving shift. Around noon, I will be heading to Subway and Sonic for our tradition Tuesday meals.

JESUS TIME

Most merciful God,
we confess that we are in bondage to sin
and cannot free ourselves.
We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved You with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us.
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,
so that we may delight in Your will
and walk in Your ways,
to the glory of Your holy name.
Amen.
"Lord Jesus, 
we so often fix our attention on the material world instead of the Heavenly realm in which You reside and of which surrounds us. Please Lord, give us the grace to fix our eyes on You, seeking out those silent desert spaces within our often cluttered and chaotic lives. You are our sole source of Truth, love and light. Thank You for leading us upon the path of everlasting. 
It is in Your good and holy Name we pray, amen."
(Prayer for Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Psalm91.com)
As indeed he says in Hosea, 
"Those who were not my people 
I will call 'my people,' 
and her who was not beloved 
I will call 'beloved.'" 
"And in the very place where it was said to them, 
'You are not my people,' 
there they shall be called 
children of the living God."
(Romans 9:25-26 NRSV)

Today I am grateful:

  • for the privilege of being called a child of the living God
  • for my love of reading and the many opportunities to read
  • for opportunities to take my eyes off of the things of this world and focus on things above
  • for the cleansing act of confession, both corporate and individual
  • that the Lord has forgiven the guilt of my sin and created in me a clean heart and a new and right spirit
  • that God is able to make these dry bones live, breathing the breath of life and spirit into them
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
(James 5:16 NRSV)

Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, 
whose sin is covered. 
Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, 
and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 

While I kept silence, 
my body wasted away 
through my groaning all day long. 
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; 
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. 
[Selah] 

Then I acknowledged my sin to you, 
and I did not hide my iniquity; 
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," 
and you forgave the guilt of my sin. 
[Selah]
(Psalms 32:1-5 NRSV)
Create in me a clean heart, O God, 
and put a new and right spirit within me.
(Psalms 51:10 NRSV)
The LORD is just in all his ways, 
and kind in all his doings. 
The LORD is near to all who call on him, 
to all who call on him in truth.
(Psalms 145:17-18 NRSV)
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 
O my God, in you I trust; 
do not let me be put to shame; 
do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; 
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 

O guard my life, and deliver me; 
do not let me be put to shame, 
for I take refuge in you. 
May integrity and uprightness preserve me, 
for I wait for you. 
(Psalms 25:1-3, 20-21 NRSV)
The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?" I answered, "O Lord GOD, you know." Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the LORD."
 So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. 
Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.' Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act, says the LORD."
(Ezekiel 37:1-14 NRSV)

This passage on dry bones conjures up all kinds of things. Of course, there is the old spiritual song that it makes me think of. I went to look that up and found this, instead.

While the experience of Ezekiel in this case may be literal, the lesson was not. God, Himself, says that the dry bones are the “whole house of Israel.” The lesson for us, I believe (for we are spiritually Israel), is that God is able to bring us up from our graves, place His Spirit within us and make us live.

I believe that we go through phases of “dry bones” in our lives, even if we have been followers of Christ for decades. I, myself, was baptized at the age of nine. That was my entrance into the family of God, into the Church of Christ. My sins, past, present, and future, were washed away in the waters of baptism. Getting baptized did not save me. However, God’s work through Jesus Christ, Baptism, and Communion, did. It is always God’s work, through the channels which He has ordained.

The importance of all of these things is brought forth in verse 14 of Ezekiel 37. “. . . then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act, says the LORD.”

In the previous chapter of Ezekiel, we find another famous passage.

A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
(Ezekiel 36:26-28 NRSV)

This passage ends similarly to the one in chapter 37. “I will be your God.” All of the acts that our God does on our behalf are so that we will know that He is God, and so He will be our God. He brings us from death to life, He breathes life into these “dry bones,” not just so we can be happy and have a fulfilled life, but so that we will know that He is God, that He is our God.

Father, I thank You for the acts of confession and absolution, in which we participate each Sunday morning. I also thank You for opportunities for personal confession, each day. Thank You for the forgiveness of sin, brought about by the work of Christ on the Cross, and then made effectual in our lives through our Baptism and Communion, as we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ each week.

I have experienced many times of dryness in my life, Father, most, if not all, of which were of my own doing and making. Sin takes me away from You (not that You go anywhere), and creates dryness of spirit and flesh, and puts me in a grave of sorts. But You, my Father, are always faithful to draw me up out of that grave and breathe new life and Spirit into me, each time. Sometimes, this even happens on a daily basis. I am grateful for Your longsuffering with us, Father, for if it were other humans with which we are dealing, they would have given up on us, if not the first time, surely by the eleventh or twelfth. But You keep forgiving; You keep reviving; You keep renewing.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” Please don’t ever stop doing this, my God!

Thank You for everything that You do in my life so that I will know that You are the Lord; thank You for wanting to be my God, and for drawing me into Your kingdom. I pray for others whom I know, who do not know You, that You would draw them into Your kingdom, as well, restoring life into their dry bones and breathing the Spirit of life into them. May I be a conduit of Your love, mercy, and grace, to all with whom I come in contact.

"Lord God, 
by an entirely supernatural work, not less than a new creation, you brought me from death to life. For this, and all your mercy, I thank you. 
In Jesus' name, amen."
(Seeking God's Face, Lent - Day 30)

And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
(1 John 5:11-12 NRSV)

O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, 
have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us.
O, Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
grant us Your peace.
(Agnus Dei)

Grace and peace, friends.