Category Archives: Presbyterian Church (USA)

Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, Presbyterian Church (USA), The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 27th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 6: 52-59. Morning Psalm-22; Evening Psalm-105

Text: I assure you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. (6:53, Today’s Living Bible)

No matter what bible translation or paraphrase you read, this verse strikes a discordant note upon our ears.

A few days ago I was leading a bible study of senior adults and the question of literalism came up. I told them that while my theological tradition does not believe in scriptural literalism, we do believe that scripture is the divinely inspired word of God. Cannibalism is one of the rumors that haunted the early Christian communities, especially John’s.

What the gospel writer in John is really saying is that unless we make the teachings of Jesus a part of our very being, like the food eat and the water we drink, we cannot fully experience the life that Christ intends for us. This text is a challenges us to take Jesus seriously! 

It is easy for us to try to “tame” Jesus and explain away his more challenging teachings; forgive and pray for  your enemies, lose your life for the Gospel’s sake, pick up you Cross, humble yourself to the point of washing another’s feet, care for the Least, the Last and the Lost–all of these things are very very hard. They are counter-cultural.

Perhaps for Lent we shouldn’t give something up. Maybe we should pick something up, like the Cross.

Lord, Give us the strength to be living reflections of your Love, Grace and Mercy. Draw us closer to you each day. Give us comfort in hearing you voice whisper in our ears, especially when we are afraid, “Lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the age.” 

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Christian, devotion, Lenten Devotion, Presbyterian Church (USA), The Gospel of John, Ugali, Uncategorized, Young Adult Volunteer in Mission

Glimpses of Grace for the 26th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 6: 41-51. Morning Psalm-27; Evening Psalm-126

Text: I am the bread of life. (v. 46)

    My youngest daughter spent a brief time in Kenya as a Young Adult Volunteer in Mission for the Presbyterian Church (USA). When she returned, shortly before Christmas, she insisted that we include an African food, ugali, in the holiday menu. A few years later I traveled to East Africa and ate ugali that was prepared in a more “traditional” way.  Ugali is a staple food with the consistency of mashed potatoes. In non-touristy areas it is served with every meal. It fills the stomach and takes away hunger.

In the Devotional Reading Jesus said that he is the Bread of Life. This is one of the seven or eight “I Am” statements of Jesus in John’s gospel. By saying the He is the Bread of Life, Jesus told his listeners, then and now, that He can fill a deep nagging spiritual hunger that resides deep inside our hearts. He can give us a clearer vision and add real meaning to life.  Like great advertisers, the world is very skilled at telling us that we are “not enough”. The Bread of Life, though, tells us that we are “enough.” We are enough because God says that we are.

In these waning days of Lent, let us consider how we have been fooled by the “wisdom” of the world into thinking that we are “not enough” and that we need to “have more.” Reflect, instead, upon God’s daily blessings and give thanks.

Lord, please remind me over and over again that Jesus is the Bread of Life. You  lead me not only beside still waters, but your are with me in life’s darkest valleys. And best of all, You set a table of Infinite Love before me every day. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, Presbyterian Church (USA), The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 24th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Text: John 6: 16-27. Morning Psalm 34; Evening Psalm 25

Text; I tell you the truth, you come looking for me not because you saw signs but because you had your fill of bread.  (Jesus, v. 26)

    What motivates you? Is it the promise of success and wealth and some preachers say that Jesus can give? Or it is because you want to experience God more fully? Is it because of what you want Christ to do for you, or because you want to do more for Christ?

Before I became a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) I had a brief career as a salesman. My agency manager encouraged me to join a particular church, not because he was concerned for my spiritual welfare but because of the business connections I could make. It seemed that his spirituality was based more on ROI (Return of Investment) than anything else.

The crowd met Jesus on the other side of the Sea of Galilee not because they wanted to know more about Him, but because He gave them bread. Bread and circus kills the spirit. You will never know Jesus–really know Him–until you quit asking what He will do for you, and start asking what you can do for Him. It’s all about losing our lives for the gospel’s sake.

Lord, let me put selfish desires aside and listen to Your voice as You lead me in serving Your Kingdom. Amen.

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