Category Archives: Lenten Devotion

Christian, confession, devotion, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 15th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 5: 30-47. Morning Psalm–22; Evening Psalm–105

Text: I can do nothing on my own…(Jesus, John 5: 30

In today’s gospel lesson Jesus told his critics that He could only do that which God enabled Him to do. He was dependent upon God. In saying this, he set an example for His disciples.

So often we say that we are going to do great things or fix this and that problem. The truth of the matter, though, is that we can only do Kingdom work when we are in direct relationship with God. Jesus did promise His disciples that they would do greater things than He did (John 14:12) but only if they stayed connected to the Father. “I am the vine, you are the branches”, He said, “… cut off from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

In this season of Lent we are called to reflect upon our separation between God and ourselves, as well as our contribution to the world’s brokenness. But we are also called to recommit ourselves to being connected to God–the Creator of the Universe, the One made visible in God’s Incarnation–Jesus, whom Christians call the Christ. 

Lord, give me a reflective and penitent heart. During this season of Lent, as I practice the spiritual disciples of worship, fellowship, generosity, prayer and mission reconnect me to the True Vine, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 14th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 5: 19-29. Morning Psalm–27; Evening Psalm 126

Text: I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. (Jesus, John 5:24)

A frustrated supervisor came into my office and sat down. After talking to one of his direct reports he said, “He doesn’t listen. He simply doesn’t listen.” An exasperated partent asks their child, “Aren’t you listening?”   Implicit in “listening” is “understanding” and “doing”. In our text for today Jesus said that those who do His work of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick and dying, and visiting the imprisoned are forgiven of their “sin”–of their inherent brokenness and the they cause because we cannot escape the fact that we are less than perfect. Jesus also said that by listening we pass from death to life. What a curious phrase.

At various points in the gospels Jesus told his disciples that if they wish to save their life, they will lost it, but conversely, if they lose their life for His sake and the gospel’s they will find their life. And in the so-called parable of the prodigal son, the son “comes to his senses” when he remembered not only who he is, but whose he is. When the father saw his “lost” son returning home, he told the servants to celebrate for his son who was lost is found and who was dead and is now alive. It strikes me that we can be spiritually dead throughout life. We are only truly alive when we are engaged in the Risen Lord’s work.

Today, listen for the voice of Jesus. Commit yourself to discipleship. To the glory of God.

Lord God, thank you for your forgiveness that is given even before I know my need. Give me the ears to hear your call and the will to do your work. Amen.

 

 

 

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Christian, confession, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, The difficulty of change, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 13th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional  Reading: John 5: 1-18. Morning Psalm–5; EveningPsalm–27

Text: When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”  (John 5:6)

“Do you want to be made well?” is one of the most insightful questions in the Bible. We automatically think, “Of course, I want to be made well?” but the truth of the matter is that that is not always the case. By asking the question Jesus was asking if the lame man wanted to change. At some level we want to change–we want to get a new job, move to a new place, lose those accumulated pounds, go back to school, be a better parent, be a better spouse, etc., but change means…well, it means “change!” It’s hard. We’ve become quite comfortable where we are, even if we know that it is a bad spot. We want change only if it does not cost us anything. Subconsciously we–or those closest to us–sabotage our efforts at change. I am a stutter.  At one point in my life when I was going to begin a new therapy program for stutters someone closest to me wasn’t sure that the therapy was such a good idea. If I wasn’t a stutter, who would I, then, be?

The man’s response to Jesus was not a direct answer to our Lord’s question. It was an excuse–“I have no one to put me in the pool…” (v. 7).  The man wasn’t sure he wanted to change. He could say that he was a victim and that was quite acceptable. Being a victim wasn’t really so bad.  Jesus challenged him. “Stand up, take you mat, and walk.”  At that moment the man had to decide if he was a victim or a victor.

In Lent we say that we will make a change; tradition says that we will give something up. My experience is that it is usually something that we needed to give up anyway but were just afraid to do it; chocolate, sugar, smoking, etc. We’ll do this for 40 days and struggle through, quite proud of ourselves if we succeed. But the gospel reading challenges us: Do we want to make a forever change? Do we want to walk in the path of Jesus? Do we want to be a disciple? Discipleship is not just for 40 days. It is for a lifetime. Do we want to take of risk of not asking God to bless our plans but rather ask God to show us His plans and where we can fit in?

Lord, in the season of Lent let me hear the voice of Jesus ask, “Do you want to get well?” Give me the courage to trust in you. I give to you my life; do what you will, for I am yours. Amen.

 

 

 

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Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 12th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 4:43-54. Morning Psalm–34; Evening Psalm–25

Text: The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way (vs. 50b)

I am drawn to the father in today’s reading. I am a father and grandfather. I have been scared for my children and grandchildren. I know the kind of fear that drove him to Jesus. What I am most struck with, though, is his faith. He believed and went home to whatever awaited him. Fortunately, by the time he returned home, his child was well. Things do not always work out this way, though.

“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 RSV)

     When a new follower of Jesus comes to me and wants to know what he or she should do, I suggest that they devotionally read the letter to James. I call it “Christianity 101”. It talks about the practical application of faith in every day life. It tells someone how to “walk home” holding on the “word” that Jesus “spoke.” James foundational statement for me is found in the very first chapter. “If any of you lack wisdom, ask God who gives generously. But ask without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wind tossed sea. Do not be double-minded.” (vss. 5 & 6) While he talks about wisdom, I believe that it applies to every aspect of our faith journey.

We do not always get the answer that we want. Bad things happen. That is a part of the Lenten season–it leads to the Cross. But we must never doubt that God is faithful.

Lord, give me the faith of the father. Let me ask boldly and live with confidence, sure of your presence whether I be on one of life’s mountaintops on in the valley of shadows. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, Lenten Devotion, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 11th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: Romans 1: 1-15. Morning Psalm–145; Evening Psalm–121

“Devotional reading” means to ask God to speak to you as you read a given passage.  When something jumps out inviting you to pause and reflect for a moment or two, do it. In the devotional reading for today verse 14 gave me such an invitation; “ I owe a great debt to you and to everyone else, both to civilized people and uncivilized alike; yes, to the educated and uneducated alike.” (Today’s Living Translation)

When I reflect upon my own life I realize that I have been shaped by a great many people and experiences. You have, too. Some people I would have preferred to avoid, but even they taught me something. (As the quip says, “If you can’t be a good example, at least be a good warning!) There are others I wish I could have spent more time with. It has been said that the teacher appears when the student is ready. I think this is true.

Years ago I wrote a letter to a university professor who had a great influence upon my life. I forgot about the letter until I received a phone call from the professor’s attorney. The professor died in an automobile accident. Being without wife or child, it was left to the attorney to settle the estate, including opening his lock box. Inside the box the attorney found the letter that I had written year earlier. He called to tell me that the letter must have meant something to the man.

As a part of your Lenten discipline today, write a letter to someone who greatly touched your life. Let them know what their touch meant to you. Do it today. Tomorrow may be too late.

Lord, like the apostle Paul I owe a great debt to many people. Thank you for their touch upon my life. Nudge me to set aside the time to write them a note of thank you–for your glory. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, Parable of the Sower, Sowing Seed, Uncategorized

Glimpse of Grace for the Second Sunday of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: Mark 3: 31-4:9. Morning Psalm–84; Evening Psalm–42

Text: “Listen! A sower went out to sow.” (Mark 3: 3)

I’ve always been fascinated by the parables of Jesus. Perhaps you have, too. The thing that I discovered about Jesus’ parables is that they are mirrors reflecting not only the nature of God’s Kingdom, but where we are in life. So many times I’ve approached this parable cautioning listeners not to be like “the path”, “the rocky” ground, or the weedy” patch.  But then I realized a couple of things that I never saw before. First, soil cannot change itself. Second, only the gardener or farmer can change the nature of the soil.

Maybe the point of this parable is not the ground, per se, but the sower. Maybe Jesus is telling us that we are the sowers of the Kingdom presence. Maybe this is a parable about faithfulness; being faithful to our task.  In the parable the sower scattered seed broadly without even thinking about the soil. His job was not to judge but to simply be persistent in sowing seed.

Could it be that that  is what we are called to do, too? Maybe we need to worry less about the soil and leave that to God.

Lord God, make me slow to judge and quick to forgive. Give me the strength to be faithful in sowing the seed of Your Kingdom at all time and places. And if our words fail, let our action proclaim Your Promise. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 10th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 4: 1-26. Morning Psalm–43; Evening Psalm–31

Text: Jesus said to her: I am he, the one who is speaking.” (John 4: 26)

So often the most important things happen “behind the scenes”. Slow service in a restaurant it is not the waitresses fault; she’s at the mercy of the cooks–or chefs, in high class establishments. If a scene doesn’t go quite right in a play, more likely than not–unless an actor forgets a line–it is the fault of the director or one of the stage hands.

The exchange between the Samaritan woman at the well and Jesus gets into a deep theological discussion very quickly; living water vs. well water, where and how “our” people worship, etc.  Finally Jesus says quite clearly Who He is; “I am he, the One who is speaking. (The Christ). That is good to know, but what happens next is arguably more important, and it is off stage of today’s reading. The woman goes back to her village and tells everyone she sees, “I have met the Christ.” She then brings them to Jesus.

Many, if not most, “mainline” Christians know that Jesus is the Christ, but they keep it a secret. We simply don’t tell others; we don’t tell others that we are a Jesus follower but we also don’t tell others how He touched our lives and changed them. It is fine, well and good for us to know who Jesus is, but Jesus says that we have this knowledge because we are His “witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Christ does not want undercover agents but heralds of God’s Kingdom.

Lord, having revealed Yourself to me, show me how to be a witness to Your life-changing presence.  Amen.

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Christian, confession, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, sin, Temptation, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 9th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Readings: Hebrews 4: 11-16;  Morning Psalm-22; Evening Psalm–130

Text: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness that  we may receive mercy for our failures and grace to help in the hour of need. (Hebrews 11:15, 16)

    To be reminded of our mistakes, short-comings, indiscretions or whatever we want to call it, is uncomfortable for most people. Like Adam and Eve trying to hide their nakedness, it seems that our default mode of operation is to deny, lie and cover up. All this does, though, is separate us more and more from God.

Each week, at the church I serve, we join together in a Prayer of Confession of Sin. From time to time someone will tell me that the Confession is depressing. Owning our sin is very counter-cultural. We often enter this part of the service by reminding worshipers of the words of  I John.  “If we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”(1: 8)  The apostle Paul wrote that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3: 23) Whether we like to hear it or not, we are sinners living in a state of sin. Period.

Today’s reading from Hebrews reminds us that sin does not have the last word, though. Like us, Jesus was tempted in every way but unlike us, Jesus did not fall. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness that  we may receive mercy for our failures and grace to help in the hour of need.  As the Incarnation of God, Jesus knows who we really are and has compassion upon us. With the confidence of a child standing before a loving parent, we can confess our sin and the part that we play in the world’s sin knowing that we will receive mercy and grace.

Lord, with David I can ask for Your forgiveness. It is against You and only You that I have sinned. Give me the courage and the wisdom to mend broken relationships without harming myself. Heal my wounds of the spirit and draw me more and more into the likeness of Christ. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, John 3: 16, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpse of Grace for the 8th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Readings: John 3: 16-21; Morning Psalm-27; Evening Psalm 126

Text: This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so the no one need be destroyed. (John 3: 16,17a The Message)

When I was about 8 or 9 years old, the church that I attended with my folks decided that it would be a good idea for the children to memorize a few Bible verses. I’ve always had difficulty with memorization but one of the first verses that I learned, thanks to my mother’s persistance, was John 3: 16, King James Version, of course!  It wasn’t until I became a pastor that I discovered that John 3: 16 only tells part of the Story. It told the What but not the Why. It wasn’t until I read verse 17 that I discovered the Why; “For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” Revised Standard Version) God sent the very embodiment of God’s eternal Love into the world to save it, not to judge it! God’s purpose is and always have been to save, redeem or rescue the world–choose whichever word you wish.

When the early Christians questioned why Jesus did not return before now, the writer of Second Peter replied, “The Lord is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives.” (II Peter 3:9, Common English Bible)

In this season of Lent we have a lot to be thankful for, most notably God’s eternal Love that never gives up on us and God’s Patience that is willing to wait a lifetime and beyond for us to change our hearts and lives.

Lord, let me reflect Your Love and Your Patience today and every day in the season and Lent and all the days of my life. Amen.

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Born Again, Christian, John 3: 16, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 7th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 2: 23-3:15; Morning Psalm: 5; Evening Psalm 27

Text: (Nicodemus): How can anyone be born who has already been born and grown up? … (Jesus): “You’re not listening.” (John 3: 4 & 5, The Message)

In his little book Don’t Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide Christian educator and seminary president C. Ellis Nelson wrote said he believes “that the power of culture to shape beliefs and dictate moral behavior is so strong that only a revelation from God is capable of breaking through to give individuals a new lease on life.”*

Nicodemus approached Jesus under the dark veil at night wanting desperately to figure out who He was. What Jesus said and did inspired Nicodemus but it didn’t fit into his preconception of the Messiah. And when Jesus spoke of “rebirth” or “birth from above” Nicodemus was more confused than ever.

To see the Kingdom of God in the person of Jesus is to have a revelation from God. We do not determine the time or date of our birth. As a matter of fact, we have no control over any of the circumstances of our birth. Nor to we have any control over God intervention in our lives. This reality makes us uncomfortable because we are a people wanting  to be in control. This has been true since the story of Adam and Eve. We want to be told that it is up to us to take the first basic steps toward salvation. And, we want to “do it our way.”

But our way is not God’s way. God’s way is the way of Love. For God so loved the world… God’s Love is the first step. Salvation is not in our hands but God’s. This is hard for us to accept because it is based on pure grace, grace without merit on our part. All we can do it live into this Love that will not let us go, no matter what. There is no better news than this: it’s not about us. It’s about God.

Lord, Thank you for Your Love that first reached out to me in Jesus Christ. Thank you for Your Love that will never let me go. Thank you for walking with me in Life’s darkest valleys as well as leading me to Life’s mountaintops. I am yours. Do with me what Your will. Amen.

 

*C. Ellis Nelson, Don’t Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide, New York, Paulist Press, pp. 4,5

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