LENT: Apr 15 - Matthew 24:38

In those days before the Flood,

the people were enjoying

banquets and parties and weddings

right up to the time Noah

entered his boat.

Matthew 24:38

 

This is a season of transition for all three of our boys. And since my church and devotional family is family, let me update you on the Thomas family news.

 

·         After finishing graduate school in Connecticut, Paul and his wife, Meredith, are moving to Charleston, SC in June! Paul is becoming the organist at the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul (Anglican).

 

·         Graduating in May, Jay will be commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. After two months of training in Norfolk, he’ll be assigned to the cruiser U.S.S. Vicksburg out of Mayport, FL (Jacksonville).

 

·         And Robbie … Robbie just chose his college: N.C. State. (Made his old Wolfpack mother and father proud!) And the whole church is invited to his homeschool graduation. It’ll be a service of worship at church on Friday, May 9, 7pm!!!

 

Wow! By the end of May, we’ll be just like the people “right up to the time of Noah” … enjoying banquets and parties and [graduations].”

 

But … wow! Those ought to be scary words, rather than celebratory words.

 

We know of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) and we know a few key events before the next Sunday (the Last Supper and Good Friday came between Palm Sunday and Easter) … BUT do you know what Jesus spent most of that holy week doing? Jesus spent his final week, according to scripture, doing four main things.

 

1.    A little healing.

 

2.    A lot of prayer.

 

3.    There were significant warnings to the Jews that many of them were about to reject their own Messiah. And therefore, what they thought of as their “inheritance” would be spread wider – now on the basis of faith rather than ethnicity. (Though some Jews would believe – they weren’t rejected – Jesus was saying that the Kingdom would now spread on the basis of faith … and among the Gentiles. See for example, “The Lesson of the Fig Tree” and “The Parable of the Wicked Tenants” as an example – Mt 24:32ff, 21:33ff).

 

4.    But perhaps the most significant thing Jesus did during that final week was point to his Second Coming. (Some of the headings in Matthew include, “The Coming of the Son of Man,” “The Necessity for Watchfulness,” “The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids” – see Matthew chapters 21-26.)

 

Therefore …

·         because it’s Holy Week (the week in which all of these prophetic sayings about Jesus took place) …

·         and because today is the occurrence of the first of “four blood moons” (Wait, don’t get too excited. Even if something truly major were to happen, it’s more likely to happen by the fourth moon, not the first. Therefore, don’t expect the world to end this afternoon … unless you’ve waited too long to do your taxes!) …

·         therefore, in the midst of this prophetically charged season, I want to point you back to our scripture for today.

 

Are you more focused on heaven and scripture and God’s daily kingdom … or on banquets and parties and graduations … on jobs and finances and hobbies … on baseball and school and senior proms … on shopping and errands and yard work? We don’t know when Jesus will come. (It could be today.) And we don’t know what day we’ll die. (It could be today.) Are you ready? Are you focusing on heaven and scripture and God’s daily kingdom daily?

 

In Christ’s Love,

even in a busy season,

a guy who wants to focus

 

 

HOLY WEEK PRAYERS: How can we pray for you?!!

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THE CHURCH WILL BE STAFFED THROUGHOUT THESE HOURS.

LENT: Apr 14 - Galatians 5:19-22

Now the works of the flesh are obvious:

fornication, impurity, licentiousness,

idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife,

jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions,

factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing,

and things like these.

Galatians 5:19-22

 

This past week, while I rode with my son to visit a potential college, I gave him some fatherly advice. I said, "Robbie, when you go to college, you can find whatever you want. If someone wants academics, they can find academics. If they want drugs, they can find drugs. If they want a Christian groups, they can find plenty of Christian groups. If they want sex, they will find sex."

 

I said, "It was exactly the same in my generation. There was plenty of sex, drugs, and alcohol ... but there was one difference. My generation might have done all those things, but deep down we all knew it was wrong. (Fun. But wrong.)"

 

"In your generation," I said, "the rules have changed. Many people say that many of these things a just fine." 

 

Yesterday, I wrote about the fruits of the Spirit. Most Christians joyfully quote these verses. Few, however, memorize the three verses before -- the poisoned fruit of human flesh. Look at that list of the works of the flesh. Do you find sex, drugs, alcohol, and a dozen more snares?

 

Let me tell you why I bring these up today ... This week, we're going to focus a little on the coming blood moons and end-times prophecy. And I want to focus on the changing morays of our culture and a particular word -- "lawlessness."

 

·         Scripture says that one of the hallmarks of the end-times will be lawlessness -- indeed, read that Galatians 5 list again. 

·         "And because of the increase of lawlessness," says Jesus, pointing to the end times, "the love of many will grow cold" (Mt 24:12). 

·         To which the Apostle Paul adds, "[So] don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for [that day will not come] until ... the man of lawlessness is revealed ..." (2 Thes 2:3).

 

Every age has had lawlessness, drunkeness, and carousing. That's what I told Robbie on the way to college visit. But in our society there used to be a time when we still discerned right from wrong.

 

We all know that culture has changed. But Christian culture is changing too. I want to invite you to click the following link, and pray about why American Christians are looking more and more like the flesh than the Spirit. http://m.christianpost.com/news/sexual-atheism-christian-dating-data-reveals-a-deeper-spiritual-malaise-117717/
 

In Christ's Love,

a concerned father

 

 

 

LENT: Apr 13 - Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the Spirit is ... joy.

Galatians 5:22-23

 

Those are the words on the front of our altar. But it's really peace that I want to talk about.

Like joy, peace is a fruit of the Spirit. Using the same three dots, we could just as truthfully say, "the fruit of the Spirit is ... peace."

 

I heard a sermon this morning in which the pastor said,

 

No God. No Peace.

Know God. Know Peace.

 

Which way do you spell "know" (or "no") when wanting love ... joy ... peace ... patient ... kindness ... generosity ... faithfulness ... gentleness ... or self-control.

 

We can't manufacture this kind of fruit, especially when the world keeps manufacturing the worst kinds of problems and pain. The only escape from some of the world's pits is the wings of the Spirit.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who spells "no"

with a "k" and a "w"

 

LENT: Apr 12 - 2 Chronicles 18:13

 

 

From: Pastor Ed Thomas [mailto:pastored@spiritofjoy.us]
Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2014 8:40 AM
Subject: LENT: Apr 12 - 2 Chronicles 18:13

 

"As the Lord lives,

whatever my God says,

that I will speak."

2 Chronicles 18:13

 

Let me tell you the story that led to the prophet Micaiah uttering these words -- words which should serve as a compass for all of us. 

• In the 800s B.C., Jehoshaphat was one of Judah's better kings. 

• Unfortunately even otherwise good kings -- think David and Solomon -- constantly wind up getting in trouble when women are concerned! (Humans sin and power corrupts.)

• In his early days, Jehoshaphat spent much of his early reign building walls against his evil neighbors. (That's good advice for us -- build walls against evil.)

• Later in his reign, however, he essentially broke down those walls, opting instead to compromise with one of the most evil kings in the Bible -- Ahab. The compromised, diplomatic solution was for Jehoshaphat to marry Ahab's daughter.

• In the midst of their compromised, diplomatic wranglings, Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to battle with him against Ramoth-Gilead.

• Jehoshaphat, still trying to be faithful (in spite of his compromises and sin), asked Ahab if he had any prophets available to foretell the results of such an endeavor.

• Ahab, the king of Northern Kingdom of Israel, trotted out four hundred prophets. They all said, "Go to war. You will be successful."

• Jehoshaphat recognized, however, that Ahab's four hundred prophets might not have been speaking for God, saying, instead, what Ahab wanted to hear. So as politely as he could, Jehoshaphat asked Ahab if he had any other priests of God. Scripture says, "7 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah."

• The point of the story is Micaiah's integrity. He said, "As the Lord lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak."

To wrap up the story,

• Micaiah's advisors told him to make King Ahab happy and agree with the priests of Baal.
• Micaiah, for a moment (and probably sarcastically and maybe wishfully) suggested that Ahab ought to go into battle indeed.
• However, dropping the sacrasm, Micaiah eventually told the truth. He foretold a battle that would lead to Israel's destruction.
• He also said that evil spirits -- through Ahab's prophets -- had been trying to provoke Ahab into this disastrous battle.)
• Some of the other prophets -- like Zedekiah -- slapped Micaiah, "7 When did the Spirit of the LORD leave me to speak to you?"
• They threw Micaiah in prison.
• And Ahab and Jehoshaphat went out to war.
• The enemy specifically trageted the kings.
• God protected Jehoshaphat.
• Ahab was killed.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who only wants to speak God's Word

and only wants to listen to truth

 

LENT: Apr 11 - Joel 2:31

The sun shall be turned into darkness,

and the moon into blood,

before the great and the terrible day

of the LORD comes.

Joel 2:31

There is a lot of attention on the stars and moon in recent days.

This week the sun and and Earth and Mars were in perfect alignment. (This is not an uncommon occurrence. It happens about once every two years.)

But what is uncommon is what is about to happen next week. The first of four "blood moons." (You can look up the astronomical details.) But blood moons are rare. They generally occur once every several hundred years.

This, however, is the third set in the last 60 years. Many Bible students are intrigued by the fact that ...

·       The first of these Blood Moons occurred in the 1940s when Israel - after hundreds and hundreds of years of non-existence - became a country again. (Is that prophetic or coincidence?)

·       The second occurred in the 1960s when Jerusalem became fully unified under Israel. (Is that prophetic or coincidence?)

·       The third set – occurring next week – sees all four Blood Moons occurring on four major Jewish holidays. (Is that prophetic or coincidence?)

I will not make any predictions. But here is what I do know:

·       More than a quarter of the Bible is prophecy.

·       The specificity of prophecy is most thrilling when we examine the life of Jesus. There were hundreds of prophecies and hundreds of years of prophecies fulfilled to the letter in his lifetime.

·       Most Biblical prophecies have already been fulfilled.

·       The remainder are essentially end times prophecies.

·       The Old Testament, the New Testament, and Jesus himself prophesy about what will happen at the end of the age.

Are blood moons a sign?

I don't know! But what I do know is that …

·       We are always called to be watchful.

·       We are always called to be ready.

·       We are always called to examine our own hearts.

·       We are always called to witness to those whose hearts are cold.

In Christ's love,

a guy who always strives to be ready

– and is curious about what might

or might not begin next week!

LENT: Apr 10 - Deuteronomy 29:19

I have peace though I walk

in the stubbornness of my heart

Deuteronomy 29:19

In Deuteronomy 29 God and Moses are warning the people of Israel about what will happen if they fail to obey God's commands when they come into the promised land.

They tell Israel that some will say, "I have peace though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart."

In modern English, no one would say it exactly like this. Rather, in our English- speaking, modern world, many do simply say, "I have peace in my heart," though they are walking in blatant stubbornness and sin.

We do what we want to do. And sometimes it brings a short-term peace, or satisfaction, or thrill. But we've all seen it, these short-term thrills often wind up as long-term griefs. What once seemed like peace and satisfaction often turns into addiction or adversity.

For example, sixties were labeled the era of freelove. A generation or two later, that freelove has resulted in adversity for an epidemic of single moms and children who don't know their dads. In the short run, an amorous couple joyfully declared, "I have peace," as they walked in the stubbornness of their heart.

Society says purity is an archaic notion. And indeed, on an individual, case-by-case basis, many people seem to escape any real consequences of their rebellion. They simply seem to be having fun. But as Scripture says, "none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself." As we've said and as we've seen, society does not escape these God-mocking behaviors. And in the long-run, most individuals really don't either. Look at the divorce rates. Look at the people yoked to to the flame of their youth who in the long-run has very different values and beliefs. Look at the once faithful children, who have forsaken their faith, because they wanted to ignore God's wisdom so they could excuse adventurous behaviors and still feel good about themselves.

In the short-run, they can say, "I have peace," though they walk in the stubbornness of their heart. The problem is that this world, and especially our years of youthfulness, are just a moment and a twinkling of the eye. In the long run, how many shipwreck their children, bankrupt their souls, and leave in doubt their Eternal future, all for some momentary thrills.

God is not against fun! And none of these rules is about legalism. They are about wisdom. God knows the long-term consequences of what happens when we go astray. He'd rather see us shore up the dike before the storm, than watch us – his little children – endure the consequences of the flood. God loves us. And that long-term joy is better than any short-term thrill.

Indeed, we can celebrate because – as it says in the next two headings in my Bible – we have "Restoration Promised" if we "Choose Life"!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who is glad that

his short term naïveté

has been replaced by

God's long-term guidance

Sent from my iPhone

LENT: Apr 9 - James 1:27

Religion that is pure and undefiled

before God, the Father, is this:

to care for orphans and widows

in their distress.

James 1:27

 

The heart of Lutheran Theology runs through Romans 3 – “23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace …25 … effective through faith … 28 apart from works prescribed by the law.” In other words, it’s God’s actions (grace), not our actions (falling short), that save us.

 

Martin Luther, therefore, wasn’t a big fan of the book of James, and this Apostle’s contention that “2:17 faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.”

 

So which is it? Paul’s “apart from works, we’re saved by faith” or James’ “without works, faith is dead”? Indeed, does the only pure religion demand that we do the work of “car[ing] for orphans and widows”?

 

It’s both!

 

Why? Because 1) the Bible says so. And because 2) the two statements really don’t contradict each other anyway!

 

1.    If it ever appears that there’s a contradiction in Scripture, don’t just reason it away in a human way. Live at the apparent intersection of these two contradictions … until God gives you clarity. If you have to lean in one direction or the other, lean toward the dominant witness of several clear Biblical principles and don’t opt for the “cool contradiction” (which is sometimes how cults and sects start). But also be patient, realizing that clarity usually comes from a further studying of scripture.

 

2.    But here’s why these two really don’t conflict …

 

a.    We’re saved by faith … not our works.

b.    And that’s a good thing because we all sin … and without God’s grace we’d be eternally dead and doomed (see Ephesians 2:1ff).

c.    But once we come to faith – and are rescued from eternal death – shouldn’t that change us?!!

d.    Shouldn’t we want to live like our Savior taught us to live?

e.    Pure and undefiled faith prompts a makeover on our hearts and lives.

f.     It’s not that we won’t still make mistakes. (Yes, we’ll still continually sin and fall short.) Nevertheless, as we grow in faith, we’ll grow in faith, love, and obedience to the ways of the Lord.

g.    As we grow in faith, we’ll begin to look more and more like Jesus.

h.    And we’ll begin to care more and more for people – including the orphans and widows.

i.      And we’ll do this through joyful generosity, rather than dead legalism.

 

In Christ’s Love,

A guy who is pure and undefiled

– not on my own, of course,

but through God’s grace – and

wants to live joyfully and

generously in response

to God’s love

 

LENT: April 8 - Proverbs 21:3

To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable

to the Lord than sacrifice.

Proverbs 21:3

 

Sacrifice was at the heart of the Jewish religion.

 

We might be able to understand sacrifice most readily in God’s Old Testament method of forgiving sin …

 

·         Sin has a cost.

·         In the eyes of a holy and perfect God, the penalty for sin – any sin and all sin – is death.

·         It requires the shedding of blood.

·         Fortunately rather than you and I having to shed our own blood, God provided a substitute – most commonly a lamb (or perhaps a goat or two turtledoves).

·         Sacrificing something valuable was costly (there’s a cost for sin), but it would pay the price for your transgression.

·         That’s why Jesus had to die, of course. With his blood and death, the perfect “lamb of God” took your penalty and mine.

 

But we know that, right? So go back to my first words, and let me ask this question …

 

Q: If sacrifice is at the heart of the Jewish religions, what does the Old Testament (Proverbs 21:3, our verse for today) say is more important than sacrifice?

 

A: Righteousness. And justice.

 

We’ll never be perfect enough to escape sin … but … how many people have used legalistic traditions, like sacrifice, to justify their bad behavior. (“I can do whatever I want … as long as I occasionally sacrifice two pigeons.” “I can do whatever I want … as long as I occasionally go to confession with the priest.” “I can do whatever I want … because God’s going to forgive me anyway.” Have you ever heard any of those excuses?)

 

Yes, we’ll never be perfect enough to escape sin … but … instead of cheap grace (“I can do whatever I want, because he’s going to forgive me anyway”), shouldn’t we aim for righteousness (“doing the right thing”) and justice (“for the right reason”)?!

 

Yes, I’ll still require an occasional sacrifice – Christ’s (and his was once and for all) – but don’t I bring glory to God by striving to be righteous (“doing the right thing”) and trying to do justice (“for the right reason”)?! And isn’t that wonderfully desirable and acceptable to God?!

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who really does care about

trying to do the right thing

for the right reason

(and is incredibly grateful that

God has my back when I sin and fall short)

 

LENT: Apr 7 - Luke 14:13-14

Jesus says,

“When you give a banquet,

invite the poor, the crippled,

the lame, and the blind.

And you will be blessed,

because they cannot repay you.”

Luke 14:13-14

 

Why does Jesus focus so much on the poor?

 

Because the world doesn’t.

 

Economies favor the rich. Governments – in spite of much bluster and rhetoric – inevitably favor the rich too. When we throw banquets, we always sit the more favored at places of honor. Furthermore, since most jobs require a measure of health, the crippled, blind, and lame tend continue to fall further behind.

 

And you and I are guilty of some of the subtle oppression.

 

I know … I know … it’s rarely mean-spirited! It’s usually accidental. We just tend to be self-focused.

 

Just the other night, I heard a self-focused story from an American doing mission work in Africa. The first order of business each day for the residents of the village he was staying in was to go get water. It was an hour’s trek down a dry and dusty path in hundred degree temperatures. At the bottom of the hill was a tiny spring. Scores of people literally fought their way for a spot at the spring to fill their buckets.

 

“Why don’t they just form a peaceable line and take turns?” complained the self-focused American as he reached into his back pack and pulled out a bottle of Aquafina water. The irony suddenly struck him. Each morning he flushes more water than these people have to survive on all day.

 

God cares equally for the rich and the poor and every unique individual. But Jesus focuses passionately on the poor precisely because the world doesn’t. They are victims of circumstance, corruption, and blind self-interest.

 

And I’d like to think that Jesus’ interest was like the American in this story came to be … Standing at that watering hole, the man noticed a tiny little boy. He was sitting there without water. Asking about him, the villagers responded, “The water source is so crowded, the boy will have nothing unless someone fights for him.”

 

The American grabbed a bucket and fought for a place in the chaotic line to get water for this boy.

 

I think that’s what Jesus does for the poor. He fights for them.

 

And sometimes he fights for the powerful in a totally different way. He allows them to be humbled. Why? Because the rich and powerful tend to depend on what they seemingly create for themselves. They can’t depend on God until they quit being self-sufficient.

 

God loves us all equally, but he ministers to each of us according to our real needs – our deepest spiritual needs. He “binds up the brokenhearted” and humbles “the proud in the imaginations of their hearts” (Isaiah 61:1, Luke  1:15).

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who’s rich and poor

 

 

LENT: Apr 6 - Leviticus 19:17b

You shall reprove your neighbor,

or you will incur guilt yourself.

Leviticus 19:17

 

One of the most misapplied pieces of scripture is: “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1).

 

In schools, children are often taught this as a flag-ship principle in the schools. “You’re not allowed to judge anybody,” kids come home from school saying.

 

And many educators and “leaders” in our culture – who don’t even believe in the Bible – tack on an additional phrase to silence the morality of Christians: “It even says that in the Bible.” Trump card played. And Christian morality has been neutered.

 

That’s not what this passage means!!!

 

“Judgment” is a privilege reserved for God – who scripture repeatedly calls righteous, the king, and the judge. And true “judgment” is something that occurs on “judgment day.”

 

Therefore, to “judge” is to …

 

pretend we’re king

presume God’s prerogative

terrify or belittle a person as if we knew enough to proclaim their damnation unto hell (as if we had the insight to know or power to do so)

falsely comfort a person by falsely assuring them that they’ll be okay on the Day of Judgment, when we may not truly know their heart (Way too many of us are very guilty of this!!!)

 

Do you see the point? Surely we all tend to judge some behaviors as godly and others as less godly. We’re often tactless in our perceptions, but at our best, we’re trying to discern God’s call and wisdom for how to live a life in Christ. But judgment is us trying to discern a person’s eternal destination on the basis of those behaviors – when it’s not our works that justify us anyway!

 

Say goodbye to the permissive trump card.

 

And say hello to your moral responsibility. Leviticus 19:17 assumes that there are cliffs that our neighbors can fall off of. Sin hurts. It causes a fall. Some cliffs are shallow enough to simply cause the perpetrator pain. Other cliffs – other sins – are steep enough that they can cause an earthly death. Other cliffs are so deep that they distance us from our destiny and separate us from God.

 

And often this separation from God is progressive. It’s like a mile high cliff with narrow little ledges every ten feet down. Ten feet at a time – and one little compromise at a time – people began to separate themselves from God. They excuse behavior. They justify sin. They choose new priorities and alternative idols. Step-by-step (or mountain-cliff slip-by-slip) they reject God.

 

Therefore, it’s not being judgmental to “reprove your neighbor.”

 

Now … let’s be clear: I don’t advise that you go up to stranger and “call them out”! I advise that you develop friendships and when the situation arises, gently point out the cliffs and the dangers. (Love goes much further than legalism!) Nevertheless, remember that the way we live our lives has consequences!

 

In Christ’s Love

a St. Bernard

(a guy who wants to be a

tail-waggingly joyful part of

the mountain rescue team)

 

LENT: Apr 5 - Leviticus 19:17a

You shall not

hate in your heart

anyone of your kin

Leviticus 19:17a

 

The longer I live, the more convinced I am of one thing:

 

The purpose of family (and church)

is to teach us forgiveness.

 

I’ve often joked that if I didn’t learn to forgive, I would have divorced Mary Louise within a year! Wait … before you gasp … if she didn’t forgive, she would have divorced me within a week!!!

 

Jesus said, Luke 17:1, that “it is impossible that no offenses should come.” Take out the double negative and let Holman Christian Standard translate instead of the New King James: "Offenses will certainly come.” To that I would add, “Offenses will certainly come when you live close to other people … like family!”

 

Let me ask you a question: Why did Jesus come? Answer: To forgive us of our sins. So how can we call someone call themselves a Christian if they are unforgiving? Or put more gently, how can we receive the peace and joy of Christ, if we “hate [our] kin in [our] heart”?

 

Yes, I know people hurt us. And the wounds stab five times deeper when it’s the people who are supposed to love and accept us the most – family – who do the hurting.

 

If you’re hurting and struggling to forgive, I’m not calling you unchristian! I’m saying that this explains your barrier to receiving the full joy of the kingdom. So please make an appointment and come and talk!

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants

to help you forgive

 

LENT: April 4 - Hebrews 7:25

[Jesus] is able, now and always,

to save those who come to God

through him, because ________

Hebrews 7:25

 

Occasionally, I like to play Fill-in-the-Blank with these devotional verses. So … fill in the blank. Why is Jesus permanently able to save?

 

Now, this verse assumes some of your answers already.

 

·         Jesus is able to save because … he was willing to fulfill our penalty. (That’s why he came down to earth … because he “so loved the world”).

·         Jesus is able to save because … he was eligible to fulfill our penalty. (He was the ideal sacrifice – fully human and yet the spotless lamb of God.)

·         Jesus is able to save because … he has the power to fulfill our penalty. (He’s God!)

 

Those are good answers. You could probably come up with more! But here’s the Hebrews 7 answer … Why is Jesus “able, now and always, to save those who come to God through him, because he lives forever to plead with God for them.”

 

Yes, Jesus died on the cross. But he didn’t stay dead!!! He sits (forever) at the right hand of the Father. And he lives eternally to intercede for us.

 

Think about that. This means Jesus sits beside the Father, day after day, pleading for you. “God, your servant Ed messed up again. He’s not perfect, but he’s one of ours. He loves you imperfectly, but yet he strives to praise your name. He hurts his neighbor, but he confesses his sins and tries to come clean.”

 

And five minutes later Jesus prays … “God, your servant Ed messed up again. He’s not perfect, but he’s one of ours.”

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who needs to quit

keeping Jesus so busy

(but I’m thankful he’s there!)

GOOD FRIDAY: Would anyone like to WRITE and READ a Devotion?

Dear Devotional Group,

 

The Good Friday Tenebrae Service is one of the most holy of the year. Our lessons will focus on “The Seven Last Words of Jesus” – his seven final statements likes, “Father, forgive them,” “Into your hands I commend my spirit,” and “I thirst.”

 

Might you be willing to WRITE and

READ a devotion for Good Friday?!

Respond back only if your answer is “yes.”

Like my daily devotions, it will be

short and sweet – 200 words or less.

 

I’ll take the first seven “yes” responses, and then will assign scriptures. (You can request a favorite … but no guarantees.)

 

Thanks. And I think you’ll enjoy it. It could be a wonderful spiritual focus for your Good Friday.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Ed

LENT: April 3 - Genesis 18:19

The Lord said,

“I have chosen Abraham,

that he may charge his children

and his household after him

to keep the way of the Lord by

doing righteousness and justice.”

Genesis 18:19

 

Today’s devotion is short and sweet …

 

What’s the most important job of a parent?

 

We see it in today’s lesson. It’s to teach, “charge,” empower, and encourage your “children” to know Jesus and “keep the way of the Lord.”

 

Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent, an uncle, a neighbor, or a potential Sunday School teacher, there is no greater role in life than passing on the faith to the next generation.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who writes devotions regularly

to teach, charge, empower,

and encourage you

LENT: April 2 - Mark 1:8

John the Baptist said,

"I baptized you with water;

but He will baptize you

with the Holy Spirit."

Mark 1:8

 

When John said this, most people probably didn’t understand what he meant … at least not fully.

 

Before John, baptism was already a Jewish rite. Mainly it was for conversion. It was a final step in foreigner becoming Jewish.

 

John’s baptism had a similar and yet totally different focus! John’s was a baptism of repentance. But the thrust of that baptism of repentance was almost like a conversion. You were converting from a life of dead faith to become more fully Jewish … or really, more fully devoted to God! (Indeed, with the coming of the Messiah, faith in God was become less about your ancestral heritage – how Jewish you were – and more about a living faith in God and his Son).

 

Based on the crowds that flocked to John at the Jordan, people understood this. They were hungry for renewal.

 

The baptism that would come through Jesus was another significant step forward! With the gift of the Spirit – that comes through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit – there’s POWER. Before the gift of the Spirit, our conversion, faith, identity, and integrity are all done on our power. But because of the power of the Holy Spirit, we are constantly assisted in our faith and faithfulness.

 

Before the gift of the Spirit, the disciples, for example, huddled in locked rooms. They were fearful after the crucifixion. And they were sedentary even after the resurrection. But come Pentecost, when Jesus poured out his Holy Spirit (Baptizing them with the Spirit’s Power), they went from fearful and sedentary to bold and missionary!

 

You’ve been given this same power. All believers have. And yet we often choke it back.

 

Nevertheless, it’s there for the asking. And a good first step is repentance. We can’t expect God to bless us when we’re not living according to his principles.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants to

get wet and then dry

(baptism wets and washes … but then

I want blown dry by the Fire of the Spirit)