Category Archives: Presbyterian Church (USA)

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

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 25 2017

For Devotional Reading: Matthew 28: 16-20

Text: Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you until the end of the age.” (vss. 18-20)

When I first arrived at the church I am now serving, their governing Board said, “Now that  you’re here, we need to write a ‘mission statement’.”

I’ve been through this exercise in futility before.  All statements written by a committee are nothing more than gibberish reduced to its lowest common denominator! It gives the illusion of doing something when, in reality, after they are written they are generally put on a shelf and forgotten.

I replied, “Actually, we don’t. Jesus already gave us our ‘mission statement’. It’s very simple. It’s easy to remember. It’s only four words; ‘Go and make disciples.’ And, He even told us how to do it; baptize and teach ‘Love’. This is the ‘mission statement’ of every group of Jesus followers.”

So, those simple four words became our “mission statement”; Go and make disciples.

Everything that we do is educative; our personal decisions as well as our corporate decisions; how we treat others, how we spend our money. Someone is always watching and consciously or unconsciously judging. As Jesus followers we need to be conscientious in not only loving one another but also in loving the least, the last and the lost of God’s children.

We are called to be bold in our love for one another and those considered “different” by world. Each one of us have been created in God’s Divine Image.  We can be courageous in our love, even to the point of risking it all for the sake of God’s Kingdom because in today’s text the Risen Lord promises to be with us until the end of time. There is no greater love than this.

Lord, make me bold as I fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission today, tomorrow and all of my days. Remove fear and intimidation from my heart. Shape me day by day, more and more into the holy image of Christ. Amen.

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

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 24, 2017

Devotional Reading: James 5: 16-27

Text: The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.(v.15)

Prayer is essential. We cannot prevent ourselves from praying. Even when we are angry with God, prayer sneaks into our lives.And prayer changes things. A black free-church minister once told me that prayer changes God, God changes people, and people change situations. While I don’t agree with that theology, I do agree that prayer changes me and I can be a “change agent”.

I often pray with people for healing, especially when they are in the hospital or facing a terrible illness. But I learned long ago that not all healing is physical. The most important healing is spiritual. All of us will die from some cause. It is my prayer and hope that it does not happen for a long long time but even the New Testament figure, Lazarus, whom Jesus brought from the grave in the gospel of John, is not longer with us in the flesh.

When spiritual healing occurs we are at peace with ourselves, others and God. This is the peace that the apostle Paul meant when he wrote about “the peace of Christ that passes all understanding.” It gives us the ability to sing the words of the old hymn “It is well with my soul.”

It is my prayer for you today, that you have this peace. And that in having this peace, you will know both the love of God that will never let you go and the fellowship that knits us together into the Body of Christ on earth.

Lord, grant me peace. Give me the courage for reconciliation. Let me learn from my past but remember that it is past. This is a new day, one that You created and blessed. Amen.

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

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 23, 2017

Devotional Reading; James 1: 16-27

Text: Be doers of the word not just hearers of the word who deceive themselves (v. 22)

The Letter of James is Christianity 101. It is how to put “following Jesus” into practical everyday use.

Many of us read the bible, take time for daily devotions and go to church. We often select “our” church based on the message, sermon or homily. Sometimes there are other reasons such as family, tradition and the like.

Many of us have what I call “a sponge” Christianity. We soak up all that we can about Jesus and faithfully attend classes and worship but we never do anything with what we learned. We never put it to practical use. We are like “sponges” that soak up water but never get squeezed out. We never clean anything up. We just set ourselves aside and let the water in us evaporate before going back for another “soaking.”

James says that that is not following Jesus. We have to do what Jesus told us to do. We have to do our part in cleaning up the messes around us in the word. Our faith has to come alive through the things that we do. Only then is God glorified.

Lord God, make me a doer of the word, an active follower of Jesus going where I sense He wants me to go, doing what I sense He wants me to do. Let me “test” the spirits that move in my life through the reading of scripture, the tradition of the saints and the fellowship of fellow followers of Jesus. Aemn.

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

Glimpses of Grace Daily Devotion for May 21, 2017

For Devotional Reading: Matthew 13: 24-34a

Text: (Jesus) put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. (vss. 24 & 25)

Th older I become the more hesitant I am to judge others. That does not mean that I always agree or accept what some says or does, doesn’t say or do. Rather it means that  I find myself wondering more than judging; wondering why they did or said what they did. And I wonder what God is up to in the circumstances of our lives.

I’ve come to the realization that God isn’t finished with either you or me, yet. Or anyone else for that matter. An old hymn says that God is working out His purposes, “as year succeeds year”.  I think that that about says it.

In Jesus’ parable a farmer’s field has been vandalized. The farmer’s workers want to “walk the rows” and pull out “the weeds”. But the farmer said “No”. He was afraid that some of the good crop would also be destroyed. There would be time enough at the harvest, he told his workers, to seperate the good from the bad.

God is patient…and forgiving. God is also ridiculously gracious. And we should be glad about that because you see, someone thinks that we are a weed. Yes, God works in lifetimes and even in generations. The story of our life is not over until the Author says it is. And the Author is fond of happy endings.

Lord, make me slow to judge and quick to forgive. Thank you for cutting me some slack. I don’t deserve it. I will do my best to glorify you with my whole being. Amen. 

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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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