For most of our lives, being passed over is not a good thing. It is filled with disappointments and brings about anger and self-doubt. We question if we should be where we are, work for the company we work for, and even if we should keep the relationships we have. Although, sometimes, though not often, being passed over leads to change and improvement. One great example of that is the story of the exodus.
Read MoreWe tend to look at the past and wish for those good times to return. But they were not as good as you remember because you have forgotten the bad things that happened and only remembered the good. Be careful for what you desire, you just may get it.
Read MoreWe know that brother’s complaint. We hear versions of it every day and have said it ourselves. From complaints about giving aid to poor people or helping immigrants we look to others with a human point of view. Jesus calls us to a different standard.
Read MoreI cannot tell you how many times people come to me in trouble and ask, “Why is God doing this to me?” Those same people often are the ones who pat themselves on the back and say, “Look how well I have done,” when things are going well. It is probably the opposite. When things are going well, it is God’s doing and when things are all messed up it is often our own fault.
Read More…Paul is telling the Philippians to imitate him. Part of this request probably comes from the fact that they were listening to others who were contradicting Paul. He also was warning the Philippians about listening to the world and running after things that were not important. Do not chase after material things or follow those whose minds are set on earthly things for their god is their belly and their glory is shame, Paul told them.
Read MoreWe have allowed the lures of the world to get their hook into us and pull us away from the life Jesus is calling us to. That is why Luther suggests that when we rise in the morning that we make the sign of the cross and say a short prayer asking for the strength to do Jesus’ work that day. That is the beginning of your preparation for the day.
Read MoreUnlike Moses or Peter, James, and John, we are not on a mountain top with God, instead, we are on the plain with the rest of the disciples trying to help those in need. That is our call – to act boldly.
Read MoreJesus begins to fill out what life with God is about – Love. “Love your enemies,” he tells us. If someone does wrong to you do not return wrong, instead love them. Then Jesus tells us how to live out that love.
Read MoreThey were surrounded by a stoic society that taught life is hard and all you can do is bear it until you die. Why, then, would they, the poor nobodies, be given this gift? Jeremiah began the answer: trust in God.
Read MoreWhile we often grumble and get angry at what God has given us (usually expecting more) or what fate has laid upon us (complaining that God should have changed it), Paul accepted his gifts, his call, and his fate because he was called by Jesus.
Read MoreWe forget that Paul was not writing scripture when he wrote these letters or even planning them to be kept. Paul’s scripture was the Old Testament. Paul’s reason for his letters were immediate. He was writing to individual churches trying to correct their misunderstandings and answer their questions as he was growing in faith and struggling with how best to explain Jesus’ salvation to those early Christians.
Read MoreWhat was important is that the people heard the Law and accepted it with joy. Although, as with God’s people of every time and age, they soon were dazzled by some new thing and wandered away. The world always seems to offer something better, some easy salvation to a troubled world. In the end we always find that these promises are lies to place us into some new bondage.
Read MoreThe problem Paul is addressing here is that the Corinthians were arguing over who’s gifts were more important and which one of them was the best Christian. Paul is writing to scold them because, by their arguments, they were not showing the world the gift of Jesus. Who would want any of God’s gifts if they only led to bickering and division?
Read MoreWhat is clearly shown in Acts is that God sends the Holy Spirit into our lives – we are baptized into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit – and that is not for our own benefit but for the benefit of others.
Read MoreEvery encounter that you have in your daily life is a possibility to show how you have been changed by God’s adoption and gift of love. Instead of the worry and stress of the world around you God has surrounded you with the peace that passes all understanding.
Read MoreIt has always struck me as strange that so many of the people who put up lights for the season turn them all off on December 26. Do they not know of the twelve days of Christmas? Usually when we hear about this, someone is talking about the twelve days before Christmas and using it as some way to make money. Yes, there was a tradition of giving gifts on each of the twelve days (that is where the song comes from), but the reason and meaning of many of our actions around Christmas is lost in the commercialization of the event.
Read MoreHas kindness become so rare that we have to report on it? Does that mean the opposite – meanness – has become prevalent? (Or is the opposite of kindness selfishness?) Have we become a society where kindness is only a random event? Is life only good if you push and shove your way through it?
Read MoreWhile everyone around you is rushing to and fro trying to get those last-minute gifts, show them the reason why we give gifts (to remind us of the gift of Jesus) and gather with family and friends (to share the love of God who came to us as a child). It is only because of God’s gift of Jesus that we are able to celebrate in love. Embrace God’s love, look to Jesus as your example, and strive to do God’s will this Christmas and always.
Read MoreWe could add many things about Paul, traveling dangerous roads on long journeys (by foot), shipwrecked, imprisoned, and rejected. We know this was not the whole of Paul’s life, he did have many joyful times as well. I point out the difficult times because it is easy to rejoice and give thanks when things are going well. Paul calls us to rejoice and give thanks at all times.
Read MoreI can remember as a child, sometimes on Sunday after church my dad would pile us all into the car and we would go for a drive. I do not know if the destination was planned but we would often end up at the home of a relative or family friend. One of those destinations was my mother’s school-friend. She and her husband were building their own home. It never seemed to be done.
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