Service on May 19, 2024. The text is Colossians 3:18-4:1
Link to Facebook Live recording of service:’
https://www.facebook.com/1050176337/videos/953898286470987
Audio of sermon only:
Challenge: Incorporate this prayer into your daily routine. God help me to express my love for You in how I love those around me.
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Challenge: Incorporate this prayer into your daily routine. God help me to express my love for You in how I love those around me.
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Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Psalm 97
Psalm 97:13 Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. NIV.
My living room has no convenient light wall light switch. Its primary ceiling fan and light fixture has only one remote and that is located on the top of a bookcase toward the middle of the room. This means entering the room in the middle of the night can be a risky venture, especially if we missed a toy or two after a visit from a grandchild. That’s why we utilize a night light which provides enough illumination to keep me from any unfortunate mishap especially to my vulnerable toes.
Our world today is filled with darkness and dangers. Navigating the challenges of living in an every-increasingly pagan environment requires increasing dependance upon God. Strangely many times when our lives get hectic, the first thing which goes is our time nurturing our relationship with God and others. We hurriedly reach a few verses or a brief (emphasis on brief) devotional, and shoot off a route prayer. Maybe we even skip church for a child’s sporting event or to attend the “big” game.
In a dark world, how desperately we need God’s light to guide our lives and actions. Here the psalmist assures us that when we seek to cultivate the wisdom God provides through the Bible, God will illumine our way. This includes providing not simply a needed detail of what to do, but cultivating the manner of living. Another perspective on this concept is that God will show us the character we are to develop. This is a character typified by the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When we surrender our selfish desires and become the people God wants us to be we will experience both confidence and a deep joy at knowing we are the people God can use to share His love with all those around us.
Father, let me walk in the light of Your word and be a reflection of that light in my family and community. Amen.
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Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Proverbs 5
Proverbs 5:21 For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. NIV.
All my grandchildren enjoyed playing peek-a-boo. I’d cover my eyes and say, “Where’s Grandpa?” When I uncovered my face and said, “Here, I am!” they responded with delighted giggles. Soon they joined and covered their own face and invited me to respond by asking where they were. What seemingly endless fun we had. Sadly, they have all now grown out of that phase and we have moved on to other games. Games like Candyland and Chutes and Ladders.
Somehow, the illusion of invisibility when we hide persists into adulthood. We delude ourselves with “if no one sees me, I can get away with it” and “if no one knows, it can’t hurt.” How childish we are when we think this way. We are just like the child who believes they are invisible because that cannot see the grandparent. Yet, often painfully, we eventually learn that just because we hide, we are not invisible.
At least two know what we did. No matter where we go and how stealthily we do something, we always accompany ourselves. If I lie to another, I may never be found out. Still, I know what I did and realize that I am not the person I portray myself to be. I puncture my soul and life drains. The more I repeat my duplicity the more numerous my wounds become and the less dynamic life remains. I did and become a dried husk of the person God intended.
Beyond that this verse reminds me that I am accountable to one from whom nothing is hidden. All my doings are visible to God. This leads me to the somber realization that I remain visible regardless of how completely I cover my eyes. Let me instead look to my Savior and spend time with Him in His word so that I can learn how to examine my own ways. That way I can seek His aid (often through godly mentors) to cultivate a life pleasing to Him and open to all around me. This is a life in which what I do on the outside reflects who I am internally.
God, mold me and make me into a person who loves with all my being and serves You consistently. Amen.
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Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Psalm 96
Psalm 96:6 Splendor and majesty are before him, strength and glory are in his sanctuary. NIV.
How often do I meditation on God’s majesty? Not nearly as much as He deserves.
Modern Science has discovered the mind-boggling dimensions of our universe. Scientists estimate there are two trillion galaxies. How incredible is that? Especially when we consider there are 100 billion stars in our Milky Way galaxy alone. I cannot fathom how much two trillion multiplied by 100 billion is. These numbers defy human comprehension. When I look up in the clear sky at night I struggle to comprehend, let alone count the mere 9,000 starts visible to the human eye. This majesty of the night sky is probably the source of mankind’s fascination with stars in astrology and astronomy.
As fascinating and awe-inspiring as the universe is, there was a time when it didn’t exist. Nothing did until God spoke, “Let there be …” and all that is came into being. Wonder beyond imagination burst forth from non-existence. Wonder upon wonder filled known (and unknown) space. All originated first in God’s mind and then through His spoken word. How much more should our attention be directed toward the originator of all that is than toward His creation. All praise, glory, honor, and power be under our Lord and Creator God.
Yet, this incredible God has also chose to demonstrate His glory in His sanctuary. He decided that of all His creative acts He would make humanity in His image. Thus created people have the capacity to relate intimately with their diving progenitor. He now chooses to live among His people. By His Spirit God communes with individuals (me and you). That the infinite God lives inside me is as incredible a concept as this immense universe resulting from God’s spoken word. In addition, God also meets with His people in the body of the Church. When we, as believers, gather to worship and learn God meets with us in and through each other. What mercy and grace!
Almighty Creator, I bow in Your presence. May Your word be my will and Your Spirit my empowerment for living. Amen.
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Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Revelation 6
Revelation 6:17 For the great day of their wrath has come and who can stand? NIV.
Even though I wonder at God’s invitation to live and how so many people reject it, the fate of those who rebel is set to culminate in great wrath and judgment. Rather than debate the merits of free choice, our response must be to carry the message of salvation to all peoples.
One of the messages of the book of Revelation is that God does everything with the goal of reconciling alienated humanity with Himself. Usually, we think of this in terms of God’s redemption through the incarnation of Jesus, His sinless life, His suffering, death, and resurrection. Reading Revelation several times we read that in response to God’s judgments the people did not repent of their sin. Instead, they hardened their hearts in rebellion. The ever-increasing severity of God’s judgments clearly demonstrate the futility of defying God, yet people persist on going their own way.
This demonstrates the utter futility of continued rebellion. I am amazed that people remain in that state rather than turn to God, repent, and receive deliverance. Maybe I should not be that surprised. For many years I persisted in destructive behaviors which undermined my family relationships, my connection with God, and my ability to function in meaningful ministry. God did not intervein, rather He allowed me to experience the increasing unmanageability of attempting to manage my life on my terms. When my life lay in ruins around me I thought that was the worst moment of my life.
It was instead the best moment of God’s gracious interactions with me. He used my desperation and despair to invite me to come to Him and take His yoke because His burden was easy and light. What a difference that has made. Now I seek God’s will each day and His empowering presence to do it with a willing and joyful heart.
This is the message we have. When my life seems to crumble around me, I was at that moment ready to respond go God’s loving invitation. Now I hope that I will be available to people who are facing those moments of realization and receptivity. I cannot know just from looking at people or by carrying a message of judgment and condemnation. I must be present in my community, available, and vulnerable to share the reason I have hope in Christ and that is the underlying feature of a meaningful and fulfilled life.
God, give me a life and message of hope that in Christ You provided a means for all people to respond to Your love and become transformed children of the light. Amen.
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Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Psalm 119:121-128
Psalm 119:125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. NIV.
I remember the rigorous days of my formal education. The schedule of classes, homework (including multiple research papers), and examinations all jumbled with social interactions, extra-curricular activities and family life. During that period, I spent a great deal of time and effort to develop the skills to master life in an academic community. I strove with a single-minded focus to master the biblical content, understand God’s character, will and actions pertaining to humanity. Underlying all of this was the assumption that I knew God’s will for me and I pursued that vision with a passion.
Today I realize my spiritual life and growth is more complex than an academic exercise. As much effort as I expend in mastering content, I am reliant upon God for direction and understanding. The psalmist says, “I am your servant.” A servant relies on the master for provision and also for direction. The time of a servant is not its own, the master directs and provides the resources necessary to accomplish the assignments. I, too, am not in charge of my spiritual life and growth. God is the one who determines what the quality of my character should be. I cannot decide that I want to cultivate love, joy, and peace but not self-control!
God provided His word as the guide to understanding and as a source of discernment to determine the patterns of life. Yet, I find a primary challenge in life is not knowing what I should do, but in how I go about doing that which I know is correct. I need discernment to ascertain both God’s will and the means to accomplish it. For this aspect of spiritual life I rely upon God’s indwelling Spirit to illumine my thinking and also empower me to live in accordance to God’s will.
I am grateful God has provided His presence not just personally in my inner being, but also in His church. Paul describes both the individual believer and the corporate church as the “temple of God.” Because of this truth, I need not attempt to live my Christian life on my own. I do so in the context of a fellowship of people who also seek to know and do God’s will. Mutual vulnerability and sharing is vital for this process. For in the sharing of my experience and hearing others do the same, God’s Spirit speaks. We can then mutually pray for each other and encourage one another to press on to the goal for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14 NIV).
Father, open my eyes that I may see Your plans for my day and Your means to become the person You desire. Amen.
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Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Proverbs 13
Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life; but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. NIV
Some of my most difficult moments have been the instant I said something and realized I should never have uttered those words. Perhaps you can relate to some awkward or inappropriate statement you could hardly believe you uttered. Maybe people laughed, gasped, or just stared back in silence. We all realize that words once spoken can never be retrieved.
So, Solomon in Proverbs warns people about how dangerous speaking can be and cautions us to guard our lips. James in his letter echoes this warning when he advises us to be quick to listen and slow to speak and anger. Yet, how often we have ignored these warnings and spoken before we thought. So our apt adage, “Open mouth, insert foot.” All of us who have spoken and regret it realize that repairing the damage of such speech can take tremendous effort to repair and retsore the trust and confidence of others. Occasionally that relationship is never restored. How then do we guard our lips as Solomon instructs.
One possible remedy is to take James advice and not rush to speak our mind (or more often lack of mind!). We have all probably heard the advice that when upset to pause by counting to ten before responding. This reflects an internal attitude – the attitude of patience. Let the other person speak. Sometimes they need to test the waters as it were or get something off their chest. When we wait, we guard our lips by not speaking until the appropriate time.
Ask questions. Often, I find my emotions stirred because I have misunderstood what the other person said. Asking clarifying questions can help keep the focus on the topic and to clarify my understanding. When that happens, I don’t have to react I can respond appropriately. Sometimes the appropriate question is, “What do you need from me?” Yet, sometimes questions are not necessary or appropriate. In those instances, it may be best to remain silent. In that instance it may be God’s tool to help the other person.
How you wonder? Perhaps the person has been caught up in unguarded speech themselves. Your silence may be God’s reminder of the work they need to do to cultivate speech that helps rather than hurts.
My heart and tongue are Yours. Use them to bring the blessing of Your will into my world. Amen.
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Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Proverbs 3
Proverbs 3:26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. NIV.
When you spend time reading and meditating on Proverbs you will probably soon see that the overarching messages is that God develops our character as we cultivate knowledge and wisdom through an application of His word in our daily living. Cultivating a lifestyle of wise decisions and actions is clearly the intent of Solomon in this collection. In this passage we discover two of the benefits of adopting this way of living.
The first is a trustworthy confidence. Often people think that the quality of their faith is the key to living. So, people pray for increased faith, stronger faith, and unwavering faith. Yet, the Bible says it is not the quality of our faith that is of primary importance. It is the object of our faith. Jesus said that all we needed was a mustard seed amount of faith and if that faith rests in the Creator and Redeemer of mankind, we have confidence that God will act in accordance with His character and intentions. Our confidence must and will rely not on our ability to generate faith, but in the God who has called us into relationship with Him and desires to provide us with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.
A second benefit is security from the ensnarement of sin. The Tempter entangles us with the quick fix and the immediate gratification of our desires. Cultivating wisdom means we view all of life from God’s perspective and in so doing develop patterns of living which lead us away from the intrigue of temptation. We look at the long range and delay our desires for a greater goal. We model ourselves by (and seek counsel from) people who love and serve God. We remain loyal to our loved ones and worship God from the center of our being. In so doing the appeal of sin diminishes since it is replaced by a life of loving obedience and service. A life of wise living is like an athlete minimizing the possibility of slipping by wearing cleats while running on a muddy field
Grant the grace that I will grasp Your wisdom not just intellectually but also experientially. Amen.
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Service on May 12, 2024. The text is Colossians 3:1-18.
Link to Facebook Live recording:
https://www.facebook.com/1050176337/videos/1160932541706777
Audio of sermon only:
Challenge: Proverbs says that children will rise up and call their mothers blessed. Do something today to bless your mother or to honor her memory.
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Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law. NIV.
Today the term discipline has a negative connotation. This may result from what many of my generation experienced as children. If we misbehaved, our parents disciplined us. That was often a form of corporal punishment (the “rod” of knowledge applied to the “seat” of learning) and our parents said they had to “discipline” us. As a result, my initial reaction to hearing the word discipline is apprehension over being shamed and suffering consequences for my behavior. Think about this: How would you respond to an invitation to attend a disciplinary hearing regarding your performance?
Yet, biblically, the concept of discipline is much broader than punishment and behavioral modification. Broadly understood discipline is the process of helping someone (yourself or another) grow into maturity. When we cuddle infants and talk to them, we are modeling interpersonal interaction and speech patterns. We are disciplining them on the proper way to communicate. When we encourage a child to roll over, crawl, and then clap when they take their first steps, we discipline them on locomotion. When we remind them to say “please” and “thank you” we provide them discipline in etiquette. When we show them how to ride a bike, cast a fishing rod, throw a ball, and drive a car, we discipline them in the correct way to develop not just that skill but also how to acquire any skill.
As interesting as observing others in this way discipline their child (or in my case grandchildren) I invest my time in training and discipling my children and grandchildren in a far more intentional and proactive manner. Clearly, I discipline those whom I love most with a focus much greater than those with whom I lack such an intimate relationship. As a finite being, I have limited resources and focus my attention on those whom God has placed closest to my heart.
The psalmist understood this. Apparently, God had disciplined him in the past. This may have been in the nurturing manner just described, or in a corrective form of chastising. Either way the discipline shows how much God cared for him and he felt blessed at God’s action in his life. He also provides a hint as to the primary tool God uses to train and discipling when he said that God teaches through His law. God’s word provides what we need to grow in godliness and maturity.
Grant me the grace to grow in discipline of both hearing and doing Your word. Amen
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