Category Archives: God’s Grace & Love

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April 8, 2024

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Grace & Love, Holidays & Holy Days, Thanks & Praise, Wisdom & Guidance

THANK YOU, JESUS!

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. [Matthew 20:28 (NLT)]

During Lent, I journeyed toward Jesus’ death and resurrection with a Lenten devotional. For each of the season’s forty days, there was a Scripture reading from John, a short devotional, an inspiring quote, interesting facts about Lent’s history, and a unique fast for the day. Each day’s reading also provided journaling space for the reader. For the fortieth day’s journal entry, readers were asked to write a brief letter of thanks to Jesus for all He endured to lead them into eternal life.

More than a week after Good Friday, however, the journal page was blank. Using Christianese words like expiation, redemption, propitiation, and reconciliation, along with born again, forgiveness, salvation, and everlasting life, I easily could have filled that page with a list of what His sacrifice provided. But my mother, who insisted I write a personal note of thanks before enjoying any gift, wouldn’t have approved of such a cursory, let alone tardy, “thank you” note! Jesus certainly deserved better!

Since then, I have pondered all He did for me—not for the world—but for me personally. He provided joy, peace, purpose, and meaning to my life but He did so much more! Jesus loved me! He loved me enough to fast for me—and not just for those forty days in the wilderness. He loved me enough to fast from being God for more than thirty years. Humbling and emptying Himself, the second member of the Trinity traded His Godness for mortal flesh. The One who was there before the world began fasted from the worship of angels, omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, sovereignty, and self-existence. He fasted from being God to suffer pain, hunger, thirst, betrayal, discomfort, insults, accusations, humiliation, and the excruciating death of a criminal. That was done for me! Thank you, Jesus!

Because He gave me the gift of His Holy Spirit, Jesus remains with me and continues to lead, guide, guard, comfort, and provide for me. His Spirit helps me understand Scripture, hear His voice, and feel His presence. He guides my prayers—and when I have no words, He prays for me! He gave me a spiritual gift and enables me to bear spiritual fruit. Although He convicts me of my sin, rather than shame me, Jesus forgives me. Thank you, Jesus!

Jesus has been my good shepherd. When I strayed, He found me and brought me home. When I was hurt, he comforted me and dressed my wounds. When danger threatened, He protected me; when I was running on empty, He filled me; and, when I ran myself ragged, He brought me to a place of rest. Because He put people in my life who acted as His hands and voice, I received help, guidance, counseling, encouragement, love, and “sharpening” from His earthly angels. Thank you, Jesus!

As my shepherd, Jesus has been at my side in my darkest moments (as well as my best). He loved me when I was at my worst, when I hated myself, or considered ending my life. When I was angry with Him and turned away, He never abandoned me. He held me when I lost those I loved or was hurt by those who should have protected me. He encouraged me when I was sure I could go no further, lifted me when I fell, and carried me when I couldn’t take another step. He safely brought me through every dark valley into His light. There are times I don’t even like myself, but Jesus loved me enough to die so that I could live!  He did that for me! Thank you, Jesus!

Your story is different from mine. Nevertheless, Jesus loves you as much as He loves me! Just as He lived, suffered, died, and rose for me, He lived, suffered, died, and rose for you. What would you write in your letter?

Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. [Romans 5:7-8 (NLT)]

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March 28, 2024

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Bible Stories, Church & Worship, God's Grace & Love, God's Promises, Holidays & Holy Days, Salvation: A New You

THE NEW COVENANT (MAUNDY THURSDAY)

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” [Luke 22:19-12 (ESV)]

holy communionToday is Maundy (or Holy) Thursday—the day many Christians throughout the world will observe the institution of the Lord’s Supper/Eucharist/Holy Communion by coming to the Lord’s table. Regardless of what you call this sacrament, Jesus’ mention of a “new covenant” probably will be part of your service. Not a word commonly used today, what is a covenant and how does it differ from a contract?

Both covenants and contracts are binding agreements but, in a contract, the parties negotiate from fairly equal bargaining positions and are free not to sign. Although both parties are expected to abide by its terms, a contract has contingencies. If either party fails to hold up their end of the bargain, the contract is null and void and the relationship ends.

A covenant, however, is not between equals. With no negotiation, it is more like an agreement between the conquering king and the conquered people! While contracts can be amended, covenants are unalterable. In a covenant, the parties agree to hold up their end of the deal even if the other party doesn’t. While a failure on one side or the other will yield consequences, it will not negate the relationship. In Scripture we find covenants between God and Adam, Abraham, Moses, Noah, and David. In them, God promised to provide, protect, and bless his people while they promised to trust and obey him and repent when they didn’t.

God’s standard is perfection but, regardless of how hard we try, we can’t be perfect. As we know from the Old Testament, the people repeatedly failed to keep their promises. In a contractual relationship, that failure would have ended their relationship with God. Fortunately, it was a covenant relationship and, while the Israelites incurred God’s judgment for their disobedience, they never were abandoned. The Hebrew Scriptures promised a new covenant in God’s words to Jeremiah—a covenant uniting God with His people—a covenant of grace in which God fulfilled both sides of the agreement.

When Jesus blessed the bread and wine in that upper room in Jerusalem some 2,000 years ago, a new covenant with God began. Jesus did not negate the law. There was nothing wrong with the law; the problem was with the people who couldn’t abide by it. In the old covenant, people were told what to do (and not to do) to get right with God but, in the new covenant, the getting right with God was done for us by Jesus.

The old covenant required the blood of animals and yearly atonement; the new covenant is for eternity and was satisfied with the sacrifice of God’s only Son. The old covenant was one of the law and works but the new one is one of grace and faith. Instead of the law being written on tablets, it is written on our hearts. The old covenant was signified by circumcision but the new covenant is shown by a change of heart. The old covenant found God in the Temple in Jerusalem but the new finds Him in the temple of the Spirit. The old covenant was one of bondage and the new is one of liberty. The old covenant was established on Mt. Sinai for Israel alone; the new was established on the cross and is for all mankind. It was with Jesus that the old covenant ended and it was with Him that the new covenant began. What was the Last Supper of the old covenant became the First Supper of the new one!

Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” [Jeremiah 31:31-34 (ESV)]

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March 14, 2024

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Bible Stories, Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, Joy, Salvation: A New You, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets

SHED THE SHROUD

Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” [John 11:43-44 (NLT)]

roseUnlike Lazarus, we haven’t had a four-day encounter with death. Our family didn’t wash us with warm water, anoint us with myrrh and aloe, wrap us in a shroud with herbs and spices, lay us in a tomb, and mourn our passing. Most of us haven’t even endured a months-long coma, flatlined, or been brought back to life with an AED. How does such an experience affect someone? Without a doubt, the man who emerged from the tomb differed from the man who died four days earlier. Did Lazarus return to life with the 1st century equivalent of a “bucket list” of things to accomplish, places to go, things to do, and adventures to have?

When Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, the once dead man emerged from the tomb with his face wrapped in a head cloth and his body bound in burial garments. Jesus told the people to unbind him and free him from the trappings of the grave. Something tells me that, after four days in a tomb, Lazarus left behind more than some linen cloth soiled with the detritus of the tomb and death. While we don’t know what he experienced during those four days, He must have returned to life with a new perspective. As he walked into the sunlight he never expected seeing again and inhaled the air he never anticipated breathing again, can you imagine how much he appreciated his new lease on life? Given a second chance, Lazarus probably wasn’t about to bring any regrets, resentment, anger, or guilt with him. Raised from the dead, he probably shed much of his past along with that shroud as he stepped from the tomb’s gloom.

Unlike Lazarus, we haven’t physically died. Nevertheless, we were spiritually dead until we responded to Christ’s call. Now, born again into a new spiritual life, our grave clothes are no longer necessary. Lazarus shed his; have we? Even through we’re reborn in Christ, we tend to carry the detritus and debris of our yesterdays into our new life. After putting on the new clothes of salvation and righteousness, rather than leave our graveclothes behind, we drag along the shroud of the past—a shroud stained with betrayals, anger, disappointment, loss, or hurt and embellished with things like remorse and disgrace. Even when we think we’ve donned the fresh clothes of a new life in Christ, we often tuck a pang of guilt or shame into a pocket. We have trouble believing that we’re forgiven, but we are; that change is possible, but it is; that we have a relationship with the Creator of the Universe, but we do; or that He could possibly love us, but He does! Lazarus shed his shroud; so should we.

As for bucket lists—they seem more a way of denying death than living life to the fullest. I don’t think Lazarus emerged from his tomb with a to-do list of things to accomplish before his next trip to that tomb. I suspect he emerged with a new appreciation for the everyday things of life—his family, the sound of laughter, the embrace of a friend, a sip of cool water, morning dew glistening in the sunlight, sunsets and sunrises, the chirp of a sparrow, worship at the Temple, the taste of a rip fig, a beautiful rose, a buzzing bee, the aroma of fresh baked bread, the earthy smell of rain, and a relationship with Jesus. Death taught Lazarus that he didn’t need more; he just needed to fully appreciate what he already had—Jesus and life!

Lazarus heeded Jesus’ call. When he stepped into the light from that dark tomb, he shed his shroud and embraced his new lease on physical life. When we responded to Jesus’s call, we were given a new spiritual life. Let us leave the despair, doubt, shame, sorrow, and sin behind as we clothe ourselves with the joy of life in Jesus Christ.

And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. [Galatians 3:27 (NLT)]

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy. [Psalm 30:11 (NLT)]

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March 4, 2024

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Bible Stories, God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, Knowing Him

TABLE SCRAPS

Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit, and she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter. Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, Jesus told her, “First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” [Mark 7:25b-27 (NLT)]

Years ago, I often cared for my granddaughter while also watching my son’s dog. The grand in her highchair would push her food around the tray while trying to feed herself. Since fine motor skills are lacking in toddlers, a fair amount of whatever she was eating ended up on the floor. Whatever my grand didn’t get in her mouth became a feast for the dog waiting patiently beneath her for the bits and pieces that fell. When she was a bit older, I think she deliberately dropped a few tidbits for her canine friend.

I think of my grand and the dog whenever I read Matthew or Mark’s account of Jesus and the mother of the demon-possessed girl. Jesus was in the pagan territory of Tyre and Sidon when a Syrophoenician woman sought Him out. Falling at Jesus’ feet, she begged Him to cast out the evil spirit that possessed her daughter.

When this Gentile woman begged Jesus to help her, He gave her an odd and what seems a very un-Jesuslike answer that equated her with a dog! There are, however, two Greek words usually translated as dog. The first, kuón, is derogatory and referred to a loose or scavenging dog—something universally despised in ancient times. A metaphor for someone of impure mind, Pharisees would use it when referring to Gentiles. Jesus used kuón for the dogs who licked the sores of poor Lazarus and when speaking of not giving dogs what was holy. Paul used kuón for Judaizers and Peter when repeating a proverb about dogs returning to their vomit. Kuón, however, is not the word Jesus used with this woman; He used the word kunarion. Also translated as dog, rather than a feral mongrel, kunarion referred to a little dog, a puppy, or a house dog like my son’s. Nevertheless, a dog is a dog and whether Jesus called her a mangy stray or a puppy, His answer seems harsh. Where was His compassion and love?

As unfeeling as it seems, Jesus’ response was correct. Parents would never take food from their children’s mouths and then throw it to the dogs (even if they were pedigree Shih Tzus or Poodles). I never would have fed the dog first and given my grand whatever was left in the dog bowl. My priority was feeding my granddaughter and Jesus’ priority was giving his message to the Jews; Israel took precedence before any Gentile nation. As God’s covenant people, the Jewish people had a position of privilege unknown to Gentiles. Jesus wasn’t insulting the woman. By comparing Israel’s privileged position to that of children and the Gentile’s lack of privilege to that of house dogs, Jesus simply was making a theological point.

The woman, however, didn’t take offense at His words. Instead, she humbly agreed with Him. Addressing Jesus as “Lord,” she reminded Him that even puppies are allowed to catch the crumbs that fall from the table around children. After all, while the children get fed first, the master remains responsible for feeding all in His household—both children and dogs! She knew that even the smallest crumb of the Lord’s grace would be enough to heal her daughter and it was.

The exchange between the Syrophoenician woman and Jesus served as a valuable lesson for the disciples—men who soon would be spreading the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, something prophesized centuries earlier when God told Abraham, “All the families will be blessed through you.” The healing of this woman’s daughter clearly demonstrated that there were no ethnic, national, racial, or gender barriers in God’s kingdom. It was faith, not Jewishness, that would bring the blessings of God to all people.

As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [Romans 10:11-13 (NLT)]

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February 8, 2024

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, God's Grace & Love, Love & Works, Money & Wealth

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS [Matthew 25:14-30]

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. [1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)]

water lilyJesus told several parables regarding the day of His return. The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids stresses being ready before that day occurs and the Parable of the Sheep and Goats describes the separation of obedient followers from unbelievers and pretenders in the final judgment. It is between those two that we find the Parable of the Talents about serving our Master until the day of His return.

Before going on a lengthy journey, the master entrusted his slaves/bondservants with his wealth during his absence. He divided his fortune among the servants according to their ability. Each received no more and no less than what they could manage. The first servant received five talents, the second two, and the third only one. Although the master gave his wealth to his servants, it still belonged to him. Although absent for a time, he retained the rights to both his servants and money. They were only caretakers of what they were given. While unsaid, it was understood that the master expected his servants to wisely invest the talents during his absence. If he hadn’t wanted the talents utilized, he would have taken the safest (and least profitable) way of protecting his money by burying it (as did many in Jesus’ day).

Rather than a coin, the talent (tálanton) was a unit of measurement for precious metals like gold or silver. Weighing about 75 pounds, a talent of silver was worth about 6,000 denarii, roughly 6,000 days (or 20 years) of wages in Jesus’ time. Based on today’s average daily wage, one talent would be the equivalent of $1,344,000 in 2024! Jesus often used hyperbole in his parables and this was no exception. The generous and trusting landowner had entrusted 600 pounds of denarii—the equivalent of over $10,000,000 today—to his servants!

After a long time, the master returned and asked his bondservants for an accounting. Because they immediately put the master’s money to work by investing it, the first and second servants had doubled their master’s fortune. The master praised their faithful stewardship and rewarded them with more responsibilities. The third servant, however, simply hid his one talent in the ground. Rather than accepting responsibility, the man claimed he was afraid of losing it and blamed his idleness on his master by calling him a harsh man. The word translated as harsh was skléros and was used to describe someone unyieldingly harsh or stern, even violent. But, there is nothing in this parable to indicate the master was anything but reasonable to his servants. Remember, the servant was given only what he was capable of handling so there was no excuse for his inaction. By doing nothing, the “wicked and lazy servant” had robbed his master of service and increase!

In this parable, the master represents Jesus, the journey represents His absence until He comes again, the two productive servants represent faithful disciples, and the third servant represents a false/unfaithful disciple. This third man may have lived in his master’s house but, by calling his master skléros, it’s clear he neither knew or loved him! Those who know and love God will serve Him faithfully but, those who don’t, won’t! Like the third servant, they ignore, waste, or misuse God’s gifts and are nothing but “worthless” servants! Jesus concludes this parable by saying that the worthless servant was thrown into the “outer darkness” where there would be “weeping and gnashing of teeth”—a clear reference to hell.

Because the English word “talent,” meaning natural aptitude or skill, comes from the Greek tálanton, it’s easy to think that’s all that Jesus is speaking about. The parable’s tálanton, however, are far more than that; they represent everything and anything by which we can glorify God. Along with our natural talents, they include the gifts of the Spirit along with our time, senses, contacts, reason, skills, influence, strength, privileges, advantages, money, possessions, faith, health, experiences, interests, knowledge, and anything else we possess!

Like the servants, we each have been blessed with a different number of “talents” according to our ability. Nevertheless, even the servant who received only one talent was given a fortune! The issue, however, isn’t how many talents were bestowed or returned—the servant who returned four talents received the same reward as the one who returned ten. The issue is how well we use the “talents” we’ve been given! May we never forget that, while given to us, they belong to the Lord and we are but caretakers of His blessings!

Paul told the Romans, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.” [14:12] This parable makes it clear that, when Jesus returns, there will be a day of reckoning—a day of both reward and punishment. Right now, we live in the time between Matthew 25:15 and Matthew 25:19—between the day our Master departed and the day of His return. A day of reckoning, however, will come and He will ask us to give an accounting of how we used His talents. Will He say, “Well done, good and faithful servant?”

We see in God’s kingdom there simply is no room for drones, only for working bees. [Brian Bell]

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. [Romans 12:11 (ESV)]

His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” [Matthew 25:21 (ESV)]

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January 29, 2024

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, God's Grace & Love, Trusting God

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM HIS LOVE

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NLT

queen butterflyI read a devotion that suggested substituting our own personal anxieties and concerns for the troubles listed by Paul in Romans 8. Perhaps your version would read: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate me from God’s love. Neither old age nor loss of loved ones, neither cancer nor dementia, neither my anxiety about my wayward child nor my reservations about finances—not even the powers of terrorism and hate can separate me from God’s love. No hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemics, or wars—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate me from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Then again, maybe widowhood, heart disease, migraines, foreclosure, floods, stroke, bullies, loneliness, crime, hunger, depression, fires, addiction, divorce, hard times, debt, anger, betrayal, homelessness, violence, or tornadoes would be on your list. Regardless of how you fill in the blanks, Paul’s words remain true and bear repeating. Nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate us from God’s love as shown in Jesus Christ.

Paul wasn’t saying that Christians have no enemies or won’t suffer. In fact, his words were written to the Roman church, a church that underwent tremendous persecution and hostility for centuries. Within a few years of his letter, Nero would blame Christ’s followers for the burning of Rome and, for the next 300 years, Christians would be mercilessly persecuted. Depending on the whims of whoever was emperor, they’d be expelled from their homes, see their property confiscated, be required to perform pagan rituals, watch their churches destroyed, have worship prohibited, endure brutal persecution, or suffer monstrous methods of execution. Not even the Apostle Paul escaped—he was executed in Rome on Nero’s orders.

While we’re not about to be crucified, torn apart by dogs, beheaded, hung on poles, coated in tar, or burned alive by Nero, we all encounter threats from both physical and spiritual enemies daily. Belief in Christ doesn’t shield us from enemies; it means that those enemies, even ones as evil and powerful as Nero, can’t turn God against us. Even Satan is powerless against God! Whether visible or invisible, nothing can take us from God’s love for us; even death can’t separate us from His love! Because God loved us enough to sacrifice His only Son for our salvation, we can be sure of His unchanging and everlasting love and confident that He will provide us with everything we need in the face of the day’s challenges.

What troubles would you substitute for Paul’s in Romans 8? No matter what they are, rest assured in the promise that the battle already is over and overwhelming victory is ours through Christ our Lord!

Nothing can separate you from God’s love, absolutely nothing. God is enough for time, God is enough for eternity. God is enough! [Hannah Whitall Smith]

 One of the greatest evidences of God’s love to those that love him is, to send them afflictions, with grace to bear them. [John Wesley]

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? … overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. [Romans 8: 31b-32,37b (NLT)]

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