Category Archives: Christian

Christian, devotion, faith, James, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 22, 2017

Devotional Reading: James 1: 1-15

Text: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all people generously and without reproaching, and it will be given to you. But ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (vss. 5,6)

There was a time when I was terribly lost and didn’t know which way to turn. It was the lowest point I ever experienced in life. My plans and dreams were simply not going to be. Almost by accident, or maybe Providence, who knows, I turned to The Letter of James and began to read. I read like a hungry man attacking a meal.

Early in my reading of James I saw today’s text. It was like a life-preserver thrown to a drowning man. I asked for wisdom for the moment, for the day and proceeded as if God was whispering in my ear and directing my decisions. I got through that day and each subsequent day, one at a time. And now, years and decades later I find myself still drawn to James’ instructions. Ask God for wisdom and believe that it will be given to you. Don’t second guess yourself. Believe that God is directing your decisions and move forward with confidence. Things will not always go as you plan but that’s okay. They happened the way that they were supposed to happen simply because that’s the way they happened.

To the best of your ability make every decision and live each day in the most God-glorifying way that you can. And remember, your life and mine are lived in the mystery of God’s Providential Care.

Lord, give me wisdom for this moment, this hour, this day. That is all that I ask. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, faith, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 20, 2017

Devotional Reading: Luke 9: 1-17

Text: But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.” The apostles said to Him, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish–unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” (v. 13)

“How am I ever gonna do this?” is a question that we all ask at one time or another whenever we face what appears to be an insurmountable challenge.  “Where do I begin?”

The feeding of the 5000 is the one parable that appears in all four of the gospels. And while each gospel has a slightly different slant, they all have one thing in common. The first step to facing any challenge is to simply begin. We begin by bringing the challenge to Jesus and asking Him what we should do, how we should begin. And He will as us assessed the resources that we already have. So step two, inventory your assets. Step three, dedicate them to be used by the Risen Lord. Step four, ACT.

Someone once said that no one has all of the spiritual gifts but everyone has the spiritual gifts necessary to be faithful to Christ’s call.  I truly believe in what I call “The Mustard Seed Principle”. The Kingdom of God begins small and grows in God’s own time. So don’t thing that you can’t do anything. You can. Take the first step today.

Lord, do not let me be intimidated by the immensity of the problems in this world, in my community, my church or even my life. Remind me that You are there with me. Guide my steps and give me the courage to take the first step. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, faith, Presbyterian Church (USA), Romans, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 19, 2017

Devotional Reading: Romans 14: 13-23

Text:  I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it is unclean. (v. 14)

I try to be conscious of other people’s feelings and sensibilities. While remaining true to who I am, I adjust my speech and behavior in different settings. It is kind of like knowing what to wear at any given occasion.  The Apostle Paul did the same thing. He wrote that he is “all things to all people”. Some criticize this as being “wishy-washy”, a chameleon Christian. But that is not at all what Paul meant. He was flexible enough to communicate in such a way that people could hear what he said. I do the same thing when I am invited to do an invocation or a closing prayer at a public event. I am true to my Christian faith while not being offensive to others from another faith tradition.

In his letter to the Romans Paul encouraged the community to be sensitive to the sensibilities of others. The problem was that some people who joined the community came out of a pagan background where meat was offered to idols. If they saw a fellow follower of Jesus buying meat from a pagan butcher, they may think that it was okay to practice their old way of life while following Jesus.

Paul said that while followers of Jesus are free to do many things, they must not do something that would cause another, especially those new to the faith, to stumble. We are one another’s keeper. We are responsible not only for ourselves but for others. That is what community is all about. That is what family is all abound.

400 years ago John Donne wrote his Meditation 17 which said in part that no one is an island “entire of itself.” We are connected to one another by our common humanity and more importantly by the cords of God’s love.

Lord, when the weed of selfishness sprouts in my wife, remove it from me. Each day let me be more and more conscious of you and drawn into the likeness of the Risen Lord. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, faith, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 17, 2017

Devotional Reading; Luke 8: 16-2

Text: For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. (v. 17)

There is a difference between secrecy and confidentiality. Secrets are things that we are ashamed of, while confidentiality are those things that are only shared “on a need to know basis”. I have shared this insight many times over the years, in both secular and religious settings.  I often remind people as we enter into a sensitive part of a meeting of the difference between secrecy and confidentiality. I tell them that if they cannot be confidential about the information that they are about to receive that it would be best for them to excuse themselves from that part of the meeting. The violation of confidentiality the trust that is necessary to conduct business.

Robert Boyd Munger once preached a sermon entitled, “My Heart, Christ’s Home”. Published in various forms over the years, I once distributed it in a worship service. It had a very moving effect, especially on one individual who confronted a secret that he kept buried for forty years.

Munger’s sermon ends with Jesus cleaning out the closet of secrets in a man’s life. Jesus relieved the main character of the secrets that held him prisoner.

Secrets are not forever. Think Thomas Jefferson, his secret liaison with Sally Hemmings was denied for generations, but it finally came to light in the wake of modern science.

Secrets can be passed down from generation to generation with detrimental effects. It is time that we face our secrets and free ourselves from their bondage.  Blessed is the person whose loved ones memories is not sullied by secrets.

Lord, remove shame from my life. Give me the strength to face my secrets, to call them by name and to free myself from their destructive power. Amen.

 

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Christian, devotion, faith, Luke, Gospel of, Parable of the Sower, Presbyterian Church (USA), Sowing Seed, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 16 2017

Devotional Reading: Luke 8: 1-15

Text: He told them a parable: “A sower went out to show his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled and birds ate it, too.” (vs. 5)

Over the years I have grown to love the parable of the sower as it is found in the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. I love it because it reminds me how I am called to be faithful not successful, at least not in ways that the world calls success. You see, the sower’s job was to sow seed. It didn’t matter what kind of soil that the seed fell upon. That responsibility fell to the Lord of the Harvest–the Maker of Heaven and Earth, the Maker of you and me. The parable is not about results but faithfulness. Are we being faithful in living a life of love and telling others about God’s love. Like the various soils, others may or may not receive the seed that we sow. We have no control over that. Our job is to sow the seed of the Kingdom and to trust God to bring forth growth.

Over the years I have found that my least memorable sermons turned out to be life changing experiences for someone else. I have also learned that an off-hand remark may be the “ah-ha” moment that God uses to flip on the Faith switch in someone’s life. Often, I don’t even remember the sermon or remark but they do, and God uses it to change a life.

We are called to be faithful not successful as the world judges success. We are called to do good as best as we can understand the good. In the words of First Peter “It is better to suffer for doing good than to suffer for doing evil.” (3:17)

So, do good. Say your prayers. Be humble and trust that God can use even the broken threads of our efforts in the tapestry of God’s Eternal Kingdom.

Lord God, help me to be faithful in the tasks that are set before me. Let me not lose heart. If I error in any of my judgments, let me error on the side of grace and goodness. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 14, 2017

Devotional Text: Matthew 7: 7-14

Text: In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (vs. 12)

When I was a boy the local Coca Cola bottling company would give students with five As on their report card a six pack of Coke and a 12 inch ruler each grading period.  On the back of the ruler was the Coca Cola logo. On the front, though, were the words “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This “Golden Rule” proliferated throughout my elementary school.

In His Sermon on the Mount one of Jesus’ teachings was that His followers should treat others as the disciples themselves wanted to be treated. They were not to treat others out of a sense of  “getting even” or “giving them what they deserve.” The were to rise above the pettiness of others. In II Thessalonians Paul called the followers of Jesus–those who took Him seriously–the first fruits of God’s Kingdom.

We are called to be an example showing others how to find meaning in their lives. We are to respect others, even if they do not respect us. We are to care for others even if they do not care for us. We are not to be like others. We are to like Christ.

Lord, make me more and more in your image. Let me not keep score of wrongs done to me but to “do unto others as I would have them do unto me.” Amen.

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Christian, devotion, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotional for May 12, 2017

Devotional Reading: Luke 7:1-17

Text: When they (the religious leaders) came to Jesus, they appealed him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him …” (v. 4)

I’m sorry but I have a problem with this text. I don’t recall Jesus ever asking anyone about their worthiness. Nor did Jesus ever ask for a background check and references. He did ask a blind man and others, “What do you want?” But He never asked “Are you worthy?” Yet, this idea of worthiness seems to permeate much of current Christian thought. So many times someone has said to me, “I hope that I’m good enough.” It seems that fear rather than love is what drives many preachers and teachers.

But let’s get something straight; No one is worthy. Not you, not me, nor anyone else. As the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We are saved by grace and grace alone, not by works or effort.

I often tell people that it is not about them but about God. Your salvation was sealed 2000 years ago on a hill outside of Jerusalem. God is not a scorekeeper or bookkeeper. We present a child for baptism or come to the baptism font ourselves not because we are good enough or because of what we have or have not done but because we are responding to God’s love. The same is true when we come to the communion table. It is God’s table, not ours. It is God who institutes and invites. It’s all about God. In the words of I John, “We love God because God first loved us.”

So, I hope that, at least for today, you will give up your guilt and your questions about being good enough. If you have wronged someone, follow Zacchaeus’ example: repent and make generous restitution. If you continually do the same destructive thing over and over, make a plan that helps you avoid that temptation. Seek help. But do something rather than wallow is useless guilt and paralyzing fear.

By the way, Jesus healed the centurion’s slave and brought back to life the widow’s only son. I truly believe that He did both of these things not because of worthiness but to show that God’s love knows no boundaries.

Lord, remove all fear from my heart. Give me the faith that allows me to trust in Your Eternal Love, a Love that will never let me go no matter what happens in life. Give me your Peace that passes all human understanding. And knit me into Your Church, the very Body of Christ here on earth, with the cords of Fellowship. Amen.

 

 

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Christian, devotion, Forgiveness, Luke, Gospel of, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Devotion for May 11, 2017

Devotional Reading: Luke 6:39-49

Text: Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but do not notice the log in your own. (vs. 41)

We are so good at seeing the faults of others while being blind to our own shortcomings. We are so quick to judge someone else and seek a pass for ourselves. Against this backdrop Jesus said, “Wait a minute. What’s with that?”

My mother told me that whenever I point a finger at someone else there are three fingers pointing back to me. Don’t we know that when we are so quick to judge others, to project upon them our presumptions, we are making ourselves smaller?

Good trees to do not produce bad fruit. Grapes are not found in bramble bushes. If we are to be Kingdom ambassadors and Jesus’ followers we have to hold ourselves to a higher standard.

I have often said that there is no one who is more truly humble than a serious follower of Jesus. Serious followers of Jesus know that they are not perfect. They don’t point fingers nor to they judge. They know that they have been forgiven much–by the grace of God. Serious Jesus followers pass this forgiveness and grace onto others so that God may be glorified by our actions.

Lord, give me a humble heart. Make me slow to judge. Grow in my life the delicious fruit of your Kingdom. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Devotional for May 9 2017

Devotional Reading: I Colossians 1: 15-23

Text: He (Jesus Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers–all things have been created through Him and for Him. (vss. 15 & 16)

Look out look a window. What do you see? Whatever it is that you see, is it the totality of the world, the cosmos, the universe, let alone your neighborhood? No. But it is all that you can see at the moment.

When I read today’s text many years ago it was an “Ah-ha” experience. I began to see Jesus and read the Bible with a new, deeper and better understanding. It dawned on me that Jesus Christ is the visible manifestation of the invisible God. If we want to know Who God is, if we want to know what God is like, we simply need to look at Jesus. Jesus is the greatest understanding that we can have of God as long as we live in a temporal world. Jesus gives us the temporal insight into the Eternal God–the One who created all things whether they be visible or invisible.

So when someone asks me what God is like, I tell them to simply look at Jesus. Read the gospels for they give us the best understanding of the nature of God. If we want to know how to live as a follower of Jesus in our daily life and in our community of faith, read the epistles. The epistles are specific letters written to specific faith communities at a specific time regarding a specific problem or problems. Within their unique situation they reveal to followers of Jesus insights into how to live faithfully within the community of faith. Of the epistles, I advise new followers to read James first. It is what I call “Christianity 101”. Follow James with Philippians, then Ephesians and so on.

So, if you want to know Who God is, read the gospels. And if you want to know the basic teachings of Jesus, begin with the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. After you read them all, live with each Beatitude for a week and then work your way through the rest of them. See how your life is changed…for the better.

Lord, You created us in Your Image and called us into communities of faith. Teach us Your Way as we seek to know Jesus more deeply. Use our faith communities to mold us into the people You intend us to be. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, Luke, Gospel of, Prayer, Presbyterian Church (USA), Serenity Prayer, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace Devotion for May 8 2017

Devotional Reading: Mark 2: 23-27

Text: Jesus said to them, “The sabbath was made for man not man for the sabbath. ” (v. 27)

This text is one of my favorite teachings of Jesus.

Sometimes rules, regulations and laws get in the way of doing Kingdom work. Sometimes they create more injustice than they prevent. Sometimes they are a means to maintain an unjust reality. And sometimes I think that we simply make rules and laws to avoid the hard work of using the gray matter God placed between our ears.

Jesus was criticized, variously, for feeding the hungry, healing a person with a crippled hand and giving sight to the blind on the sabbath. His critics cited Exodus 20:8–Remember the sabbath and keep it holy. In doing so they forgot why God created a sabbath. God made the sabbath for us, not us for the sabbath. There has to be a balance in our lives between labor and rest otherwise we experience burnout, which neither glorifies God nor is beneficial to anyone.

Human need can present itself at the most inopportune times.  Our challenge is what I call “the goose that laid the golden egg syndrome.” We need to be productive but we also need to be mindful of our limits. I see us–myself included–getting this wrong more often than not.

Perhaps the most important prayer to the work of the Kingdom is not the believer’s prayer but the serenity prayer. Here’s a challenge: Begin each day this coming week with the serenity prayer. Then, at the end of the day take five minutes to reflect upon the day and write down an insight or two. See if you don’t become a better follower of Jesus.

Serenity Prayer attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.

 

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