Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, Mark, Presbyterian Church (USA), Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 5th Sunday of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: Mark 8: 31-9:1. Morning Psalm 84; Evening Psalm 42

Text: For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? (v. 36)

I once did a sermon series entitled “The Questions of Jesus”. Today’s text was one of the questions. It is a question that I ask myself often.

When I was in elementary school one of my favorite short stories was “The Devil and Daniel Webster.” It us a story about a “hard-luck” man who wants to be successful. One night a “stranger” visits him and offers to make a deal–all of his dreams will come true if he will but sell his eternal soul to the stranger. Not fully understanding what he was doing and wanting worldly success so badly, he signed his name to the proffered document.

Time passes and his success grows beyond his wildest dreams. Then the stranger shows up to collect his soul. This is when our poor man enlists the help of Daniel Webster–a renowned attorney, orator, statesman and Senator of the 19th century in the United States. The stranger and Daniel Webster go toe to toe in legal battle late into the night until finally Daniel Webster wins the man’s release.

People make character compromises every day of their life. If they are not careful the can, inch by inch, they sell themselves to the devil. I believe that Jesus question is one that we need to ask ourselves nearly every day. “What do I gain if I ultimately lose who I am?”

We face many hard decisions and must make some compromises but we must always ask ourselves that one question. I think that we will conclude that some compromises are simply too much.

Lord, keep our Lord’s question upper-most in our hearts, and give us the courage to do the right thing–even if nobody notices but You. Amen.

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

Glimpses of Grace for the 28th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 6: 60-71 .  Morning Psalm 43; Evening Psalm 31

Text: when many of His disciples heard it (“It” being what Jesus just said),  they said, “This is a difficult teaching; who can accept it (or embrace it)? (v. 60)

I’ve been trying to play a musical instrument instrument for years. Sometimes I make amazing progress. At other times I don’t. Over the years I have come to realize something shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anyone who has master an instrument. Proficiency takes discipline.

At the very heart of Christian discipleship is the word “discipline”. Following Jesus is not easy. He never said that it would be.  It is counter-cultural. It is revolutionary. It upsets the satisfied status-quo. It takes conscious effort and discipline. It takes a community of faith to encourage and challenge us, to feed and care for us. After all, WE are the Body of Christ here on earth and that doesn’t come easy.

To their credit the disciples who first heard Jesus’ words in John’s gospel wondered if they were up to the task. Left to their own devices, they weren’t. Neither are we. But here’s the good news, in our journey of life and faith, we are not alone. He is with us, leading the way, showing us the Way to the Cross and beyond.

Lord, Your Way is hard. Give us a will for discipline. We do not pray for easy lives, but that You make us stronger. We do not pray for tasks no greater than our power,  but power equal to the tasks before us. We know that we can do all things through the One who strengthens us. Amen. 

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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, Doug Coe, faith, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Tim Kreutter, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for 25th Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading for the Day: John 6: 27-40. Morning Psalm-5; Evening Psalm-27

Text: They said, “What does God want us to do?” Jesus replied, “This is the work of God, believe in the One whom God sent.” (verse 28)

    C.K. Chesterton once said that Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it simply hasn’t been tried.  Neither belief nor faith is an intellectual exercise. The Letter of James says that our faith is seen in our works–in the things that we do and the “why” that lies behind them.

Tim Kreutter of Cornerstone Development in Kampala, Uganda recently wrote a moving tribute to his spiritual mentor, Doug Coe. “Doug was a revolutionary teacher that challenged and stretched me. … All of his theology was built around Jesus. He taught me to call myself a ‘follower of Jesus’ and not a Christian. The first term describes a life-style and the second describes mere membership in a group. …He also taught that we should spend more of our time reading the 4 Gospels and coming back to the simple teachings of Jesus. … (There is) one (more) thing I learned from him … if we are not a bit revolutionary we are likely to be irrelevant.”

Earlier in John’s Gospel when Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” He was inviting us to live life in a bold new way. In this season of Lent, let us consider this New Way. Let’s be a bit revolutionary–for the glory of God.

Lord, show me the way of Jesus but more importantly give me the courage to embark upon that way. Show me how to put others above self and You above all. 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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Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, The Gospel of John, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 23rd Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 6: 1-15. Morning Psalm-145; Evening Psalm 121

Text: When He looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards Him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test them, for He knew what He was going to do. (vss. 5&6a)

This is Jesus feeding of the 5000 in John’s gospel. In response to Jesus’ question, Philip took an inventory of the resources available to them. The disciples then turned over to Jesus those resources, meager though they were. And a miracle occurred.

No one has all of the talents that a person could possess, nor does any community have all of the resources that could be had. But each person and each community has the talents and resources necessary to do the work of the Kingdom before them. Too often we look at our lack–at what we do not have–and say to ourselves that we cannot make a difference. But that is simply not true. We must look at the gifts God entrusts to us and then be willing to return them–dedicate them–to the work of the Lord. When we do this, miracles happen, situations are transformed and lives are forever changed.

Lord, today I will inventory the resources that You have given me–my time, my abilities and my worldly possessions. I dedicate these things to You and to the work of Your Kingdom. Amen.

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Christian, devotion, faith, Lenten Devotion, Mark, Uncategorized

Glimpses of Grace for the 4th Sunday of Lent, 2017

Devotional Text: Mark 8: 11-21. Morning Psalm-84; Evening Psalm-42

Text: Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod. (v. 15)

    On a recent trip I opened my dopp kit and discovered that I forgot my toothbrush. Often when I travel I forget something. I went to the desk of the hotel and asked if they could provide me with a toothbrush. A smiling clerk pulled open a drawer and gave me a cellophane wrapped toothbrush.

Jesus and the disciples were traveling from one side of the Lake of Galilee when the disciples remembered something–bread to eat. They forgot to bring bread.  Jesus noticed and said to the 12 to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod. Beware of what they are trying to tell you is gives life meaning. Today’s Pharisees tell us that it is memorizing certain prayers or attending a certain church or being baptized in a certain. Today’s Herod tells us that they can provide security from “those people”, or that “you should be afraid–very afraid.”  Jesus, though, says, “Don’t you remember the feeding of the 5000? Do you think that I have ever left you in true want? Don’t you know that I love you? No matter what the world says, you are precious to me.”

The disciples forgot bread for a journey. They may have been a little hungry. But Jesus provides the only bread that truly satisfies our spirits.

    Lord, in this season of Lent help us to remember in this world of material want and gain, the You provide the only true bread that gives our lives meaning. Amen.

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

Glimpses of Grace for the 22nd Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 8: 47-59. Morning Psalm-43; Evening Psalm-31.

Text: Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing.” (v. 54a)

    In the midst of Jesus’ theological discourse in John’s gospel, Jesus said something that made be stop and reflect. It wasn’t about death and eternity. It was a life lesson about now. “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing.”

When I was growing up there was a kid in my neighborhood who was always bragging about himself. Sometimes his braggadocio had its intended affect upon me and made me feel inferior. It was then that my mother would say to me, “If you have to brag on yourself, you can’t be very good.”  Her words were guiding wisdom that I see bear out on a nearly daily basis. It is also true of “glory”. Seeking glory for ourselves is nothing. Yet many people spend the better part of their lives doing just that in the vain hope of achieving some kind of renown or immortality. Living a life that glorifies God, though, is everything.  A God-glorifying life is the only thing that truly lasts into eternity.

So, let this be your compass, Seek first the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness… (Jesus, Matthew 6:33)

Lord, let your Kingdom be my goal, on earth as it is in heaven. Let me know in the very depths of my soul, the vanity of glorifying myself. To Thine be the glory, the true glory, forever. Amen.

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

Glimpses of Grace for the 21st Day of Lent, 2017

Devotional Reading: John 8: 33-47. Morning Psalm-22; Evening Psalm-105

Text: Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the Son does. (John34 & 35)

I’ve always felt awkward using the biblical metaphor of slavery. In the early days of my ministry I felt awkward because in my part of the world we do not have slaves, except for the kind that is underground that I never knew about until recently. More recently I felt awkward because none of my ancestors were slaves. They may have been indentured servants, but that is not the same thing. I believe that a better image is that of “being owned”, of having a Boss. Who’s your boss?

At this point in the gospel Jesus and the “rulers” are in an argument about just who Jesus is. When Jesus said that they were “slaves” they were indignant. They are nobodies slave. Nobody owned them. But, in truth, they were owned: by their traditions. Tradition  blinded them to the presence of God in their midst. Tradition blinded them from recognizing the works of God in their very midst, the works of Jesus–the Son.

Like the rulers of Jesus’ day we, too are owned. Tradition was their Boss, not God. Their Boss lived in their position, money and status. Those same Bosses exert the same influence over us today. Christian Educator and seminary president C. Ellis Nelson once wrote that it takes the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God to from the chains our various Bosses. Jesus Christ is that in-breaking. Jesus Christ is the Boss.

Today and in the rest of the days of Lent look for God’s in-breaking in the day to day activities of your life. Carry a 3×5 card and write one or two down. Reflect upon the card as your day draws to a close.

Lord, give me a discerning heart so that I can see those things that  are my “Boss”, that”own” me. Show me how to move from this temporal ownership to freedom in Christ. Amen.

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