Psalm 103 inspired Matt Redman to write 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord). Here’s a fun cover from Christafari. Enjoy!
Month: June 2017
Psalm 103: Steadfast
Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 103; 150, Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (10-15), Ephesians 4:1-16, John 1:1-18
We all need reassurance sometimes. On days when we seek to be comforted, there aren’t many resources better than Psalm 103. The psalmist blesses the Lord for all the goodness that is part of the Lord’s nature. When we trust in the Lord, this goodness showers down upon us in countless ways. Today, let’s enjoy some reassurance courtesy of Psalm 103.
Our God forgives, heals, and redeems (vv 3-4). So many messages seem to say God’s default attitude toward us is one of damnation until we choose to be saved, as if God locked a door between us and wishes us luck finding the key in the person of Jesus. The Lord’s desire is that we all be saved. God puts no barriers in our way; we may do that ourselves, but God provides the tools to tear them down.
The Lord works justice for the oppressed (vv 6-7). Hope in an eternal afterlife may be comforting, but it does little to relieve suffering in the here and now. God is also concerned with justice on the earth, particularly for those who are marginalized and exploited. When that process seems excruciatingly slow, it’s not because God doesn’t care.
The Lord’s compassion is far greater than humankind can understand (vv 8-14). We are incapable of conceiving emotions and attitudes beyond human ones. We fear the limits of God’s love and compassion do not exceed our own. Yet the psalmist assures us that God, understanding we are frail and temporary as dust, forgives us based not on our merits but on his mercy – mercy like but greater than that of a parent for a child. The only thing we need to fear is the Lord, and that fear ultimately offers a peace beyond understanding.
The Lord is steadfast (vv 15-18). Unlike mortals, who flourish and perish like flowers, God’s love, mercy, and affections are not subject to whims, and don’t sway back and forth like grass in the wind.
The Lord loves us, wants what is best for us, and is there for us to reach out to … always and all ways.
Comfort: Take comfort in God’s love for you.
Challenge: For the next week, when you stress or fear turn to Psalm 103.
Prayer: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Discussion: Where do you go – a place, an activity, a person – to find comfort?
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Sow Bountifully
Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 122; 149, Deuteronomy 29:2-15, 2 Corinthians 9:1-15, Luke 18:15-30
“The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
Paul wrote these words to the church in Corinth to encourage them to give generously to the church in Judea, which needed much assistance. He told the Corinthians that God, who was the ultimate source of all they had to give, would reward them for their faithful generosity. What the audience of Paul’s letter may have missed was Paul’s generosity toward them. The generosity Paul exhibited toward the Corinthian church was not one of pocket, but of spirit. We can see this in his words:
Now it is not necessary for me to write you about the ministry to the saints, for I know your eagerness, which is the subject of my boasting about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that [you have] been ready since last year; […] But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you may not prove to have been empty in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.
Paul simultaneously praised them for their generosity and gently nudged them to fulfill their promise. He could just have easily written “I’m not sure you’re keeping up your end of the bargain, so I’m sending some heavies to follow up.” This blunt approach has a certain appeal, and it may even get results, but it is not relationship-oriented. In the long run it leads to giving that is more fearful than cheerful.
Do we sow our seeds of faith in others as bountifully as we sow material seeds? Would you rather hear “I’m counting on you; I believe you can do it!” or “I’m counting on you; don’t let me down!” One may ask what the difference is, but the first implies an expectation of success and the second an expectation of failure. People’s behavior is influenced by the expectations we set for them. Intentionally and bountifully sowing seeds of high expectation, even when we doubt, is a sign of a generous spirit.
Comfort: Generosity is its own reward.
Challenge: Treat people as if you believe in their willingness to do well, even when you doubt.
Prayer: Create in me a generous heart, O God! Amen.
Discussion: What’s the difference between being optimistic and being gullible?
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Saying Grace
Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 88; 148, Deuteronomy 26:1-11, 2 Corinthians 8:16-24, Luke 18:9-14
Jesus told a parable about two men praying at a temple, one a Pharisee – a citizen of high standing – and the other a tax collector – a Jew who worked for the occupying Roman empire. The Pharisee thanked God that he was not like sinners such as the tax collector, and reminded God that he fasted twice a week and tithed a tenth of his income. The tax collector humbly asked God for mercy. Jesus said the tax collector was the one who went home justified.
This parable is a bit of a paradox. We probably do want to try to live a life that looks more like the Pharisee’s than the tax collector’s. Avoiding sin and practicing spiritual disciplines – such as tithing and fasting –are good choices. Helping exploit the oppressed is not as good a choice. Yet according to Jesus, the state of our heart is at least as important as our actions.
Exalting ourselves is a good indicator we’ve forgotten to be grateful. The Pharisee could tithe and fast because he was in a comfortable position, yet he thanked God for nothing but his own (self-) righteousness. Someone without enough food or money would not have had the luxury of tithing and fasting. We don’t know anything about the tax collector’s circumstances, but we do know he was grateful for the mercy of his creator.
When the Jewish people reached the promised land, they began sacrificing the first fruits of each harvest to the Lord. As they did so, they recited the story of how God liberated them from slavery in Egypt and delivered them to the land of milk and honey. No matter how hard they toiled in the field, they did not take credit for their own well-being, but expressed gratitude to God for making it all possible. Somewhere along the line, the Pharisee seemed to have forgotten this important lesson.
Let’s remember where we came from. While we rejoice that God loves us, let’s also remember God’s love is a gift, not a reward for good behavior. We say grace before we eat, not after.
Comfort: Remember that God loves you.
Challenge: Remember that all you have comes from God.
Prayer: God, be merciful to me, a sinner!
Discussion: Are you ever tempted to compare yourself to other people? If so, how does it usually make you feel?
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Justice isn’t blind yet.
Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 143; 147:12-20, Deuteronomy 16:18-20, 17:14-20, 2 Corinthians 8:1-16, Luke 18:1-8
As the Jewish people prepared to settle into the promised land, God laid down some rules about who might be their king. The king could be rich, but not too rich. He could have wives, but not many wives. And quite specifically, he could have horses, but not too many horses, especially if he had to get them from Egypt, where the people were forbidden to return. These conditions were meant to keep the king focused on God and to prevent him from “exalting himself above other members of the community.”
The wealthy and powerful have always lived by different rules than others, not only because they can afford to buy their way out of consequences for their actions, but because we make different assumptions about the wealthy and the poor. And since we have not yet untangled our nation’s historical relationship between race and poverty, that disparity becomes even more pronounced across racial divides. Add to that mix the prosperity gospel which teaches God financially rewards the faithful – and conversely implies the poor are lacking faith and morality – and the down-on-their-luck are perceived as unworthy of luck. Outcomes of the supposedly blind justice system are more predictable by economic status and race than by similarity of crime. From health care to education to housing loans, many systems are designed – often through lack of understanding but sometimes intentionally – to give further advantage to the already advantaged, and more insidiously to make us believe that’s just and fair.
What’s the remedy for this? In 2 Corinthians, Paul tells the church a “fair balance” is not based on what you’ve earned, but on what needs you can help relieve. He reminds them, “It was written, ‘The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.’” Moving money around is relatively easy. Moving social capital around is more difficult, is more time-consuming, and requires more intentional education, effort, and sacrifice. Jesus invites us to develop a deeper sense of justice more concerned with who we can serve than with what we deserve.
Comfort: We are all equal before God.
Challenge: Read this article about racial disparities in criminal sentencing.
Prayer: Merciful God, may Your justice transform our land and lives. Amen.
Discussion: What can you do to promote justice in your community?
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Jump In With Both Feet
Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 65; 147:1-11, Deuteronomy 13:1-11, 2 Corinthians 7:2-16, Luke 17:20-37
“He who hesitates is lost.”
The exact origin of this proverb is unknown, but it persists because it is timeless. We find or make up all kinds of excuses to hem and haw about decisions, only to regret opportunities that slip by. In business this phenomenon is sometimes called “analysis paralysis.”
Jesus warned his followers that when the day of reckoning came, it would be sudden and people needed to be ready at a moment’s notice. Anyone looking back toward home to gather belongings or tie up loose ends would be left behind. Does this seem harsh? Who wouldn’t be tempted to reach out to a loved one, or say good-bye to an old life?
“Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Another popular expression with vague origins. If we are waiting for justice, every minute of delay is essentially another minute of injustice. What could be more just than following Christ? Every minute we don’t follow him completely is a minute we’ve denied him. It seems unlikely he’s going to show up tomorrow, but that doesn’t excuse a lack of dedication. In what ways are we holding out? Maybe we’re waiting for an apology from someone before we forgive them. Or maybe we’re planning to spend more time in prayer and praise once things settle down at work or at home. Because we think of Jesus as loving and forgiving (both true), we can forget he also makes demands and approach discipleship like a diet that always seems to be starting “next” Monday. Or we can take him for granted and treat him like a family member who takes second place to our job “just this once” … for the second, tenth, or hundredth time.
No one’s dedication is perfect, but we can do our best to make sure we look forward toward Christ and not backward toward the attachments which prevent us from pursuing him unencumbered. Since we never know which moment will be the pivotal one in our relationship with Christ, why not assume they all are?
“I will prepare and some day my chance will come.” – Abraham Lincoln.
Comfort: Jesus is ready for you right now.
Challenge: He wants you to be ready, too.
Prayer: Lord grant me the conviction to follow you right how. Amen.
Discussion: What makes you hesitate to commit to something?
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One of these things is not like the others…
Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 54; 146, Deuteronomy 12:1-12, 2 Corinthians 6:3-13 (6:14-7:1), Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
Jesus asked where the other nine might be, but it seems he should have known; after all, he had told them to go to the priests for ritual cleansing. The one he praised for returning had actually failed to follow instructions. When someone is rewarded for breaking the rules, how does that make us feel?
When do we think it’s appropriate to break the rules? Here’s one possible answer: when it brings us closer to Christ. In the case of the Samaritan leper, that closeness included physical proximity. Technically, before getting a clean bill of health from the priest, he should not have approached Jesus, let alone gotten close enough to fall at his feet. Of the ten, he alone seemed to understand it was his relationship with God and Christ, not his adherence to instructions, which made him whole and presentable.
Don’t let anyone’s expectations stop you from rushing toward the love of God. Not when they treat you like an outsider. Not when their rules are designed to hold you back. Not even when your own expectations leave you feeling unworthy. No matter how much you think the odds are stacked against you, throw yourself at the feet of that love. Your faith will make you well.
Comfort: God loves you regardless of anyone’s rulebook.
Challenge: You have to be willing to accept that love.
Prayer: Merciful God, I throw all my cares, praise, and gratitude at your feet. Amen.
Discussion: Has anyone ever made you feel unworthy of God’s love? If so, how have you overcome those feelings?
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Generation J(esus)
Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 57; 145, Deuteronomy 11:13-19, 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2, Luke 17:1-10
Millennials are unfairly stereotyped, but that’s nothing new. Every generation criticizes the ones that follow: “Kids today!” – as if younger generations made a group decision to irritate us, when in truth they are the product of all the generations that came before, including our own. The things we complain about are the very things we created. On some level we understand this, so maybe that’s why we fixate on them. They reflect back our own shortcomings and – even worse – have the gall to name them out loud. They might not yet realize that it will soon be their turn, but then neither did we in the hubris of youth.
Lost in all the finger-pointing is the reality that people essentially haven’t changed. For every viral millennial blogger boasting how corporate America should fear them, a thousand more are trying to make ends meet under difficult circumstances and working just as hard (and probably smarter when it comes to technology) as their elders.
If we’re still tempted to paint them with the “participation trophy” brush, maybe we can remember these words from Jesus to his disciples:
Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'”
In other words: “Don’t expect a reward just for showing up and doing what you were supposed to do anyway.” Not a new problem, it seems.
When we experience generational conflict, let’s not reflexively blame it all on the younger or the older. People stay relatively the same but society does change, and children are often mastering difficult changes which confound their parents. Rather, as Paul recommends, let’s build one another up. It takes humility both ways to admit we can learn from each other. Mentoring isn’t an extra credit activity – it’s vital for healthy communities.
Our ultimate reward has been won for us by Christ. Our level of participation does not influence that grace. Our level of gratitude is evident in how we love others.
Comfort: Our generations are more alike than different.
Challenge: Make a point each week of spending time with people who are younger or older than you. Listen to what they have to say.
Prayer: Loving God, I thank you for the generations before me, and ask you to make me a blessing to those who come after. Amen.
Discussion: Are you surprised to find yourself doing anything that your parents or elders did, especially things you said you’d “never” do?
Join the discussion! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to join an extended discussion as part of the C+C Facebook group. You’ll be notified of new posts through FB, and have the opportunity to share your thoughts with some lovely people. Or feel free to comment here on WordPress, or even re-blog – the more the merrier!
Pentecost Songs: What would you pick?
I was looking for a music video to post for Pentecost. Found lots of songs about the Holy Spirit, but none of them spoke to my personal tastes. So what do YOU think would make a good Pentecost song? Leave your suggestions and links in the comments.
Peace!
Flaming shots for everyone!
Pentecost, Jean II Restout, 1732
Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 104; 150, Isaiah 11:1-9, 1 Corinthians 2:1-13, John 14:21-29
Readings for Pentecost:
First Reading Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Gospel John 20:19-23
Blessed Pentecost!
The Sunday of Pentecost is affectionately known as the birthday of the Christian church. Today we commemorate the day the Holy Spirit descended on the gathered disciples in tongues of flame. As this happened, they began to speak in many languages, and members of the crowd – who came from many places in Europe, Asia, and Africa – heard them in their own native languages. Many were “amazed and perplexed” while skeptics suggested the crowd was drunk at nine in the morning.
Now that’s a party.
Birthdays and anniversaries are important events for many people. On those dates, we acknowledge the past and look toward the future. Can we imagine a future when we are once more so full of the Spirit that some people can’t help understanding what it’s all about and others think we’re intoxicated (not in a barroom brawl sort of way but more in the vein of “I love you, man!”)?
We may not have tongues of flame dancing over our heads, but Jesus promised the Spirit would be with us always. How can we live fully into that promise every day? We can speak with and listen to people where they are. The gathered crowd did not suddenly all speak the same language; the Spirit transcended language. Living into the Spirit doesn’t compel us to make everyone the same; it helps us bridge the spaces that were once walls. Strangers cease to be objects of concern, and become objects of love.
We can also let go of worrying about how our attitudes and actions appears to others, and surrender to joy. People may call us naïve, foolish, and weak. Let them. Sacrificial love and forgiveness are not languages everyone is willing to hear, and to them it will sound like gibberish and nonsense. Our joy comes not from how much we receive, but from how much we give. Don’t let other people’s lack of understanding keep you from unwrapping your gifts.
Nine in the morning may be a little early for a drink, but when it comes to the Spirit it’s always five o’clock somewhere.
Comfort: The Holy Spirit is with us always.
Challenge: Meditate on what it means to listen for the Spirit.
Prayer: Holy God, I am open to hearing you however you will speak to me. Amen.
Discussion: When does your faith feel most like a celebration?
Join the discussion! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to join an extended discussion as part of the C+C Facebook group. You’ll be notified of new posts through FB, and have the opportunity to share your thoughts with some lovely people. Or feel free to comment here on WordPress, or even re-blog – the more the merrier!
Comfort & Challenge 