Peace, the perspective a language a challenged layman.
There are times I wish I was a better student of the English language. Oh, I do okay, but my written and verbal command of my native tongue is, more than I would care to admit, weak. I grew up in Brighton Park, a working class neighborhood on Chicago’s south-west side. The grandson of immigrants, I was a fourth generation McCrea living in a two-flat purchased by my father’s grandparents. As a native Chicagoan, I grew up speaking like all Chicagoans, replacing “th” with “d” as in “dem, dese, dose and dere” rather than correctly saying “them, these, those and there.” I also have a tendency to drop the “g” off of “ing” as in “shoppin’ cart” rather than “shopping cart.” The list of my verbal infractions can be long and is often times met with humorous rebuke from my wife. Kim, a native Badger, who will in an interesting tone, respond to my infractions with a question. “Dan, where is the frun-chroom in our home?” Indeed, Kim’s not so subtle correction was in reference to my calling our living room a “frun-chroom.” My reply to her inquiry is usually something like the following. “Ey, my livin’ room was in da fronna da house.”
In spite of my oral inadequacies, I am fascinated with how people use language, particularly the same word to describe what may be two, or more, different emotions, characteristics or qualities. For example, one may hear “I love my new care” and then hear from the same person “I love my children.” This puzzles me, for I wonder how one word can be used to describe what I hope would be two very different affections for two very different subjects- a car and a child. The Greeks used three different words for three types of love. They had it right.
Love is not the only victim of the English language used widely and carelessly. Words such as excellence, teamwork, partnership, business, marketing and communication have all morphed to the point of where the receiver is unsure of the sender’s intent. For example, my definition of marketing is based on the marketing mix- product, price, distribution and promotion while others us the word, incorrectly in my opinion, solely in the context of promotion.
Well, all of this leads me to the word, “peace,” as it relates to the fruit of the Spirit. What does peace mean to me, to you or to God? I had not really thought about it until I was asked to contribute this devotional. Is the word “peace” carelessly used like the word “love” that I wrote of earlier?
In church we hear “peace be with you” to which we respond with “and also with you.” On the news we hear President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for promoting peaceful international relations. On gravestones we see “Rest In Peace.” And, often we personally wish for some “peace and quiet.”
Now I’m sure we are all smart enough to know the general meaning of “peace,” but perhaps we should examine a deeper, more Biblical definition of the word,. Originally written in Hebrew, the Old Testament word for peace is shalom. The New Testament, written in Greek, used the word eirene. Since I took neither Greek nor Hebrew in college, I dangerously used Wikipedia as my source for word translation.
Shalom, Hebrew for peace, completeness and welfare. Shalom is often used to mean both hello and goodbye. In review of this definition, we can understand the meaning behind the exchange of “peace be with you” followed by “and also with you.”
Eirene, the Greek word for peace used in the New Testament is similar to Shalom in that the word implies wholeness or completeness. The Greek verb erio means to bind together that which has been separated.
The fruit of the Spirit as written by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 is as follows: “22But the fruit of the Sprit is love, joy , peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control Against such things there is no law.”
Allow me to propose that although peace is the third fruit, perhaps Paul’s intent was not to highlight or force rank one fruit of the Spirit over another, but to bind the fruits together in hopes of achieving wholeness. We are the fruit of God or the product of accepting God as our Savior while striving for His will. Our fruit is not one quality or two, but all qualities- love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control- bound together creating peace within one’s soul- to be whole with God. Like a tree bears fruit, our usable fruit of the Spirit that is visible to others, is the product or illustration of our relationship with God.
In today’s world we deal with an abundance of technology bombarding us with words, messages and noise to which, as written earlier, we wish for “peace and quiet.” When we seek peace we are, perhaps, searching for completeness; completeness in Christ that can be achieved by giving, producing, and illustrating our control. Think about it, when you were at peace were you hateful, inpatient, unkind or evil? Or were you illustrating the fruits of the Spirit?
Philippians 4:4-7
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5:Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request s to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Further reading:
http://www.spirithome.com/fruitssp.html#fruity
Questions for Reflection:
What can I do this week to find peace in my life?
How has God given me peace lately?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Vision of Ministry/Name of Ministry
I've been thinking about the name of the ministry: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater United Methodist Ministry.
I think it's too long.
I've been thinking of new names.
During that process, I've gotten wisdom from two people.
The first person said, "Why don't you get some ideas for other people?" And who better to ask then you who are actually a part of this facebook group?!
The second person said, "You've got to start with a vision, and the name will come out of that."
Very wise, indeed!
So, I'd like your input.
For starters, my vision as best as I can articulate it now is this:
1. Cast the net wide to reach those students who are falling through the cracks- those who aren't being served by other campus ministries.
2. Do events, outings, and activities that will help foster community and connectedness on what can be a lonely college experience.
3. Lead small groups Bible Studies for opportunities of spiritual growth and learning.
4. Invest in a few key individuals to pursue God in a deeper way.
I welcome your thoughts and input. I also welcome your ideas for a name.
Here's what my brainstorming session has come up with so far:
-The Bridge: Connecting You to God and the Campus to the Community
-ROC (Resting On Christ) Solid Campus Ministry
-The Cross & The Flame Warhawk Chapter
-Splash (Like a splash of water on a clear lake, we want to make a lasting impact with our lives and on this campus.)
What do you think?
I think it's too long.
I've been thinking of new names.
During that process, I've gotten wisdom from two people.
The first person said, "Why don't you get some ideas for other people?" And who better to ask then you who are actually a part of this facebook group?!
The second person said, "You've got to start with a vision, and the name will come out of that."
Very wise, indeed!
So, I'd like your input.
For starters, my vision as best as I can articulate it now is this:
1. Cast the net wide to reach those students who are falling through the cracks- those who aren't being served by other campus ministries.
2. Do events, outings, and activities that will help foster community and connectedness on what can be a lonely college experience.
3. Lead small groups Bible Studies for opportunities of spiritual growth and learning.
4. Invest in a few key individuals to pursue God in a deeper way.
I welcome your thoughts and input. I also welcome your ideas for a name.
Here's what my brainstorming session has come up with so far:
-The Bridge: Connecting You to God and the Campus to the Community
-ROC (Resting On Christ) Solid Campus Ministry
-The Cross & The Flame Warhawk Chapter
-Splash (Like a splash of water on a clear lake, we want to make a lasting impact with our lives and on this campus.)
What do you think?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Gifts from God by Devin Wisman
Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
During a mission trip over the summer to the Bahamas, I was given the opportunity to help out with the weekly Soup Kitchen provided for the homeless people in the area. It was an experience I will never be able to fully describe.
About twenty people had gathered at the gates of the church waiting for food. The church pastor came out and we held a short fifteen-minute service. It was amazing to watch these people who had nothing praise God with song, prayer, and scripture. After the service, we began handing out food. The church volunteers told me to make sure that each person received only one bag. As I began handing out bags, I realized that I had to watch to make sure that they weren’t hiding a bag behind their legs and asking for a second. I also had to start watching their faces, as some people would get one bag, go around the corner to hide it, and then return for a second. It was heartbreaking to watch. All they wanted was a second bag of soup, and I was walking through a buffet line twice a day at our hotel. I served people young and old, families and individuals, children and the elderly. I had to fight back tears as emotion washed over me. It was almost overwhelming.
Eventually we ran out of food and had to lock the church gates again. I think the hardest part was to return to the Vacation Bible School we were teaching. We were working at the richest Methodist church on the island, so the children who came to the VBS were not hurting for money. They had the latest Hannah Montana t-shirts and were well fed. The snacks provided by the church at the VBS were quite large, so when I returned to the VBS during lunch, I found it very difficult to watch them throw away burgers with one bite out of them, knowing that starving people right outside the church gates would have done anything for that burger sitting in the trash. It was quite a mind-shock.
It is in experiences like this that I am reminded of God’s grace and my responsibility to His people. As long as I am capable, I know that I need to work to help those less fortunate. God has been good to me in my life. I am blessed beyond my knowing, and I need to use the gifts God has given me to share His blessings with others.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
During a mission trip over the summer to the Bahamas, I was given the opportunity to help out with the weekly Soup Kitchen provided for the homeless people in the area. It was an experience I will never be able to fully describe.
About twenty people had gathered at the gates of the church waiting for food. The church pastor came out and we held a short fifteen-minute service. It was amazing to watch these people who had nothing praise God with song, prayer, and scripture. After the service, we began handing out food. The church volunteers told me to make sure that each person received only one bag. As I began handing out bags, I realized that I had to watch to make sure that they weren’t hiding a bag behind their legs and asking for a second. I also had to start watching their faces, as some people would get one bag, go around the corner to hide it, and then return for a second. It was heartbreaking to watch. All they wanted was a second bag of soup, and I was walking through a buffet line twice a day at our hotel. I served people young and old, families and individuals, children and the elderly. I had to fight back tears as emotion washed over me. It was almost overwhelming.
Eventually we ran out of food and had to lock the church gates again. I think the hardest part was to return to the Vacation Bible School we were teaching. We were working at the richest Methodist church on the island, so the children who came to the VBS were not hurting for money. They had the latest Hannah Montana t-shirts and were well fed. The snacks provided by the church at the VBS were quite large, so when I returned to the VBS during lunch, I found it very difficult to watch them throw away burgers with one bite out of them, knowing that starving people right outside the church gates would have done anything for that burger sitting in the trash. It was quite a mind-shock.
It is in experiences like this that I am reminded of God’s grace and my responsibility to His people. As long as I am capable, I know that I need to work to help those less fortunate. God has been good to me in my life. I am blessed beyond my knowing, and I need to use the gifts God has given me to share His blessings with others.
God's Timing by Monica Digman
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, can be seen in the picture above (DSC00804).
When I was going through my bible I read over many verses, but the one that "spoke" to me was ECC 3:1-8. There are many different ways one could read and understand this passage, but the main theme from the passage is time, that there is time for everything under the sun. But everything happens in "God's time."
I think that the best example of God's Time is when lightening starts a fire in the forest. The forest will get burnt to a crisp and all of the wildlife lose their homes. The whole place is burnt beyond recognition. One may ask, how any good could come from such a destructive force of nature? All of the trees look like a burnt match stuck upside-down in the dirt. It's only when the forest begins to re-grow itself that you can see that the burn was indeed profitable to the undergrowth of the forest, all of the little plants get fertilized from the ash from their fallen brethren.
One doesn't always understand why bad things happen to good people, until afterwards when you see the situation as a "learning situation." I was always taught that "Hind sight is 20/20" you can't change what you did back then and you can only see what you did wrong because only now can you see the big picture.
(I included some pictures, the first is a picture of a fire and the second of undergrowth soon after one, they are NOT the same forest though)
Here is a link to a video of a good example of the destruction and re-growth of nature, provided by Disney.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn1oKz9V7NY
CAN YOU SEE THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES?
~They didn't love their life so much As to shrink from death, Inspired in their footsteps We will march ahead.
Don't be shocked that people die, Be surprised you're still alive~ ("Cassie" Flyleaf)
When I was going through my bible I read over many verses, but the one that "spoke" to me was ECC 3:1-8. There are many different ways one could read and understand this passage, but the main theme from the passage is time, that there is time for everything under the sun. But everything happens in "God's time."
I think that the best example of God's Time is when lightening starts a fire in the forest. The forest will get burnt to a crisp and all of the wildlife lose their homes. The whole place is burnt beyond recognition. One may ask, how any good could come from such a destructive force of nature? All of the trees look like a burnt match stuck upside-down in the dirt. It's only when the forest begins to re-grow itself that you can see that the burn was indeed profitable to the undergrowth of the forest, all of the little plants get fertilized from the ash from their fallen brethren.
One doesn't always understand why bad things happen to good people, until afterwards when you see the situation as a "learning situation." I was always taught that "Hind sight is 20/20" you can't change what you did back then and you can only see what you did wrong because only now can you see the big picture.
(I included some pictures, the first is a picture of a fire and the second of undergrowth soon after one, they are NOT the same forest though)
Here is a link to a video of a good example of the destruction and re-growth of nature, provided by Disney.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn1oKz9V7NY
CAN YOU SEE THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES?
~They didn't love their life so much As to shrink from death, Inspired in their footsteps We will march ahead.
Don't be shocked that people die, Be surprised you're still alive~ ("Cassie" Flyleaf)
Anxiousness by Zach Chudy
Recently I had an experience with school work mounting up. I had 2 exams and a take home exam along with lab work and other reading assignments. This being my last semester before grad school, I wanted to finish up strong and was cruising through this semester.
So I started working on this take home exam and it was not really going well at all. I was unable to understand any of it, and became more and more anxious and stressed out, thinking to myself, “I am going to fail, and even if I do pass how can I possibly do grad school if this gives me so much trouble?”
A few minutes later I stopped myself and said, “What am I doing?” I remembered the verse “don’t be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God.” (Philippians 4:6) And so I tried to relax and say God is in control; everything is ok, and I just couldn’t shake the stress and anxiety. So I prayed and asked God to show me how to cast my cares unto him (Psalms 55:22) and how not to be anxious. And I stopped studying and went outside.
Within the time it took me to walk out of my apartment and down the stairs to the crisp night air, I felt a wonderful peace cover me which has lasted the whole weekend. I am still struggling with figuring out the work but I am slowly getting closer. I am finding out how to enjoy God in the simple task of doing my homework and in the midst of failing to understand my homework, and it is simply awesome. You might think I would end this with a success story, and there will probably be one, but to me what I have said is one already. (The outcome of my grade matters little to me compared with walking in faith with my Savior.)
So I started working on this take home exam and it was not really going well at all. I was unable to understand any of it, and became more and more anxious and stressed out, thinking to myself, “I am going to fail, and even if I do pass how can I possibly do grad school if this gives me so much trouble?”
A few minutes later I stopped myself and said, “What am I doing?” I remembered the verse “don’t be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God.” (Philippians 4:6) And so I tried to relax and say God is in control; everything is ok, and I just couldn’t shake the stress and anxiety. So I prayed and asked God to show me how to cast my cares unto him (Psalms 55:22) and how not to be anxious. And I stopped studying and went outside.
Within the time it took me to walk out of my apartment and down the stairs to the crisp night air, I felt a wonderful peace cover me which has lasted the whole weekend. I am still struggling with figuring out the work but I am slowly getting closer. I am finding out how to enjoy God in the simple task of doing my homework and in the midst of failing to understand my homework, and it is simply awesome. You might think I would end this with a success story, and there will probably be one, but to me what I have said is one already. (The outcome of my grade matters little to me compared with walking in faith with my Savior.)
The LORD will fight for you by Jimmy Kussow
Exodus 14:14 "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
I find this passage of scripture very awesome. It is said by Moses right before the parting of the Red Sea as the Egyptians are running after the Israelites after they had let them go. They were worrying that they had escaped Egyptian control only to fall prey to their superior army. Moses didn’t have this worry at all because he knew the Lord would provide.
We can definitely apply this to our lives today as we scurry around to classes, group projects, and being involved in organizations. You may worry you wont have enough time to do things but God will provide you a way to get everything done. This is definitely the case in my life right now as I search for a job/internship after I graduate. I am going to let God get me a job where he wants me to have one. I am not going to worry but be still before God because he is the worker of miracles.
I find this passage of scripture very awesome. It is said by Moses right before the parting of the Red Sea as the Egyptians are running after the Israelites after they had let them go. They were worrying that they had escaped Egyptian control only to fall prey to their superior army. Moses didn’t have this worry at all because he knew the Lord would provide.
We can definitely apply this to our lives today as we scurry around to classes, group projects, and being involved in organizations. You may worry you wont have enough time to do things but God will provide you a way to get everything done. This is definitely the case in my life right now as I search for a job/internship after I graduate. I am going to let God get me a job where he wants me to have one. I am not going to worry but be still before God because he is the worker of miracles.
Contentment & Strength by Samantha Ruehl
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:11-13
These are the words of the apostle Paul who went through much suffering.
These days we are living in a tough economy and for some of us, especially those who have seen the finer things in life, it can be quiet uneasy. Even if we are not suffering financially we are all suffering in some way.
I am a college student who at this point in time is broke. In this situation I would usually turn to my father who has provided for me my whole life, but due to him currently being laid off I can no longer do this. This situation has really been stressing me out. I have very little money left in my checking account and am not sure what I’m going to do when it’s gone. It is not the easiest time to find a job, especially living here in Whitewater, and my school load is already stressing me out. All of these things have been bringing me down, so I decided I needed to turn to my Heavenly Father. That is when I came across this scripture. I realized that I should be totally content with what I have. There are so many people that are worse off than me, at least I have a meal plan and know I will be fed, a roof over my head, and people who love me. Some people don’t even have that let alone Him who gives me strength.
So next time you feel stressed out or depressed at your current situation remember happiness comes through being content in all circumstances and this is possible through Him who gives us strength.
Philippians 4:11-13
These are the words of the apostle Paul who went through much suffering.
These days we are living in a tough economy and for some of us, especially those who have seen the finer things in life, it can be quiet uneasy. Even if we are not suffering financially we are all suffering in some way.
I am a college student who at this point in time is broke. In this situation I would usually turn to my father who has provided for me my whole life, but due to him currently being laid off I can no longer do this. This situation has really been stressing me out. I have very little money left in my checking account and am not sure what I’m going to do when it’s gone. It is not the easiest time to find a job, especially living here in Whitewater, and my school load is already stressing me out. All of these things have been bringing me down, so I decided I needed to turn to my Heavenly Father. That is when I came across this scripture. I realized that I should be totally content with what I have. There are so many people that are worse off than me, at least I have a meal plan and know I will be fed, a roof over my head, and people who love me. Some people don’t even have that let alone Him who gives me strength.
So next time you feel stressed out or depressed at your current situation remember happiness comes through being content in all circumstances and this is possible through Him who gives us strength.
Purpose Driven People by Alyssa Bocanegra
“Now, my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
John 12:27-28
This is what Jesus said after he predicted His death.
Jesus lived a purpose driven life.
He knew the call of God, and He did not waver. His mindset was to fulfill His call and Glorify God-even to His death. Because of this, the Kingdom of Heaven was transformed.
The apostle Paul is pretty well known for the persecutions he suffered. He was flogged, imprisoned, shipwrecked- all in a good days work. But, he never wavered from His purpose. He knew that God was calling him to spread the Gospel, and because of his perseverance, the Kingdom of Heaven was advanced.
Now I know that most of us may not have callings anywhere near those of Jesus and Paul.
But what difficult situations are you facing today? What sacrifices is God asking you to make? Have you focused on how to bring God glory through them?
Let us be a purpose driven people- ready to sacrifice to bring God glory!
John 12:27-28
This is what Jesus said after he predicted His death.
Jesus lived a purpose driven life.
He knew the call of God, and He did not waver. His mindset was to fulfill His call and Glorify God-even to His death. Because of this, the Kingdom of Heaven was transformed.
The apostle Paul is pretty well known for the persecutions he suffered. He was flogged, imprisoned, shipwrecked- all in a good days work. But, he never wavered from His purpose. He knew that God was calling him to spread the Gospel, and because of his perseverance, the Kingdom of Heaven was advanced.
Now I know that most of us may not have callings anywhere near those of Jesus and Paul.
But what difficult situations are you facing today? What sacrifices is God asking you to make? Have you focused on how to bring God glory through them?
Let us be a purpose driven people- ready to sacrifice to bring God glory!
The Tongue by Owen Cooper
This is the first installment for the school year of a weekly e-mail devotional. Every week a different student will write and share some thoughts from scripture with us all. My prayer is that we may encourage and edify one another through this process.
James 3:1-12
Did you know that the tongue is the strongest muscle in the body? Scripture refers to the tongue again and again as a mighty weapon. The question is: Is it a weapon for good or for evil? Here are some evil uses of our tongue:
Flattery
Lies
Mischief
Wickedness
Boastfulness
Deceit
Destruction
But our tongues can be and should be used for good. We are admonished to use our tongue to:
praise our Lord
encourage one another
speak justice
sing joyfully
bring words of healing and knowledge
teach kindness
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
How will you use your tongue this week? What can you say to your roommate to cheer them up and encourage them? How can you praise the Lord with your tongue this week? How can you speak justice, healing, knowledge, and kindness into the world?
May God inspire you with ways to inspire others with your words.
James 3:1-12
Did you know that the tongue is the strongest muscle in the body? Scripture refers to the tongue again and again as a mighty weapon. The question is: Is it a weapon for good or for evil? Here are some evil uses of our tongue:
Flattery
Lies
Mischief
Wickedness
Boastfulness
Deceit
Destruction
But our tongues can be and should be used for good. We are admonished to use our tongue to:
praise our Lord
encourage one another
speak justice
sing joyfully
bring words of healing and knowledge
teach kindness
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
How will you use your tongue this week? What can you say to your roommate to cheer them up and encourage them? How can you praise the Lord with your tongue this week? How can you speak justice, healing, knowledge, and kindness into the world?
May God inspire you with ways to inspire others with your words.
Fruit of the Spirit: Joy by Staci Cooper
Fruit of the Spirit: Joy
Go to Nehemiah Chapter 8. Read the chapter and then continue on.....
The Bible, in Nehemiah 8:10 , says "the joy of the LORD is your strength". How can the LORD's joy be my strength? How does that work?
Putting the verse back into its context tells us more about what is being said here. Nehemiah, the governor, directed and completed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days! He had help from the people who had returned from exile and captivity with him from Babylon. This had been an on going project for almost 100 years! Ezra, the priest, is reading the book of the law, the Torah, to the people who have returned from captivity.
All of the people have assembled to hear the law. Verse 9 says that Nehemiah and Ezra tell the people:
"'This day is holy to the LORD your God, do not mourn or weep.' For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law."
Why is this day holy to the LORD?
Because His people have heard the law, the truth, and their hearts have been convicted of the sins they have committed against God.
They realize that they have broken covenant with God and that God has remained faithful.
Verse 10 Says: "Then he (Nehemiah) said to them 'Go, eat of the fat, and drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'"
Why are they to eat when they have just been weeping and mourning?
Because eating together is a part of the covenant that God has made with His people, including you and me.
Jesus came and gave us the New Covenant and we are to eat and drink, in rememberance of what He did for us. His body and His blood are what allow us to be in covenant with Him.
Eating and drinking (taking Communion) remind us to look at the covenant God made with us and to examine how we are doing on keeping covenant with Him.
God always upholds His end of the covenant and He knows that we will fail. Yet, He still sent His Son to fulfill our half of the covenant. So that we could live eternally with Him.
Christ is the ONLY ONE that is able to do that. Not our works, our prayers, our thoughts, our zeal, our busyness, or our belief. That is why His grace is SO amazing!
That is why "the joy of the LORD is your strength." Did you catch it?
When we come to the LORD in repentance, in weeping and mourning, for breaking covenant with Him, for sinning, HE invites us to dine with Him.
God says to us, as filthy and dirty as we are, to come to His table.
He clothes us in His robe of righteousness (or reminds us that we are wearing His robe).
He invites us to eat with Him, to drink with Him at His feast of love.
The LORD says to us, “Come and eat with Me, commune with Me, for you have made known your covenant breaking before Me. Come and continue to keep covenant with me for I am filled with joy.”
Then, we are able to stand before our LORD in His strength because we are now keeping covenant with Him. He has restored us to Himself because His Word has instructed us in our shortcomings and we have acknowledged them.
O Beloved, I can't wait for that glorious day when we join Him at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!!
Questions to think on:
-In what ways do you keep covenant with God?
-In what ways do you break covenant with God?
-What can you do today to find "the joy of the LORD"?
Go to Nehemiah Chapter 8. Read the chapter and then continue on.....
The Bible, in Nehemiah 8:10 , says "the joy of the LORD is your strength". How can the LORD's joy be my strength? How does that work?
Putting the verse back into its context tells us more about what is being said here. Nehemiah, the governor, directed and completed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days! He had help from the people who had returned from exile and captivity with him from Babylon. This had been an on going project for almost 100 years! Ezra, the priest, is reading the book of the law, the Torah, to the people who have returned from captivity.
All of the people have assembled to hear the law. Verse 9 says that Nehemiah and Ezra tell the people:
"'This day is holy to the LORD your God, do not mourn or weep.' For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law."
Why is this day holy to the LORD?
Because His people have heard the law, the truth, and their hearts have been convicted of the sins they have committed against God.
They realize that they have broken covenant with God and that God has remained faithful.
Verse 10 Says: "Then he (Nehemiah) said to them 'Go, eat of the fat, and drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'"
Why are they to eat when they have just been weeping and mourning?
Because eating together is a part of the covenant that God has made with His people, including you and me.
Jesus came and gave us the New Covenant and we are to eat and drink, in rememberance of what He did for us. His body and His blood are what allow us to be in covenant with Him.
Eating and drinking (taking Communion) remind us to look at the covenant God made with us and to examine how we are doing on keeping covenant with Him.
God always upholds His end of the covenant and He knows that we will fail. Yet, He still sent His Son to fulfill our half of the covenant. So that we could live eternally with Him.
Christ is the ONLY ONE that is able to do that. Not our works, our prayers, our thoughts, our zeal, our busyness, or our belief. That is why His grace is SO amazing!
That is why "the joy of the LORD is your strength." Did you catch it?
When we come to the LORD in repentance, in weeping and mourning, for breaking covenant with Him, for sinning, HE invites us to dine with Him.
God says to us, as filthy and dirty as we are, to come to His table.
He clothes us in His robe of righteousness (or reminds us that we are wearing His robe).
He invites us to eat with Him, to drink with Him at His feast of love.
The LORD says to us, “Come and eat with Me, commune with Me, for you have made known your covenant breaking before Me. Come and continue to keep covenant with me for I am filled with joy.”
Then, we are able to stand before our LORD in His strength because we are now keeping covenant with Him. He has restored us to Himself because His Word has instructed us in our shortcomings and we have acknowledged them.
O Beloved, I can't wait for that glorious day when we join Him at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!!
Questions to think on:
-In what ways do you keep covenant with God?
-In what ways do you break covenant with God?
-What can you do today to find "the joy of the LORD"?
The Fruit of the Spirit: Love by Owen Cooper
The Fruit of the Spirit: LOVE
When I was in college, I had a friend who loved to play this game with songs. Everyone would agree on a word, like “truck” for example, and then we would take turns trying to think of songs with the word “truck” in it. If you couldn’t think of a word, you were out. The last person left would win, and then we’d pick a new word. I remember the time we did the word “love.” That game lasted for 3 days!
How many songs do you know with the word “love”? Lost love, found love, new love, or true love is the topic of most songs. How many catchy “love” quotes do you know? (“Love makes the world go ‘round.” “Love is blind.”)
It’s true that love is all around us, but where does this desire for love, to be loved, and to feel loved come from? The Greek word for love in the New Testament is agape. The Zondervan NIV concordance says that the word agape “in the New Testament [is] usually the active love of God for his Son and his people, and the active love his people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies.”
So the love we are to have for each other and even the love that we give back to God is modeled for us by God Himself! He shows us how to love by how He loves His own Son, Jesus. And He shows us how to love by how He displays His love toward us. And how does He do that?
“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) This then, truly is an active love. This is not a passive, feel-good-about-myself kind of love. This is a love with teeth.
Read 1 Corinthians 13 below.
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I guarantee you that if you google the word love, you will find all sorts of “love,” but most of it will not look anything like what we just read in 1 Corinthians 13 above. Why do human attempts at love fall so short and become so broken? How can we possibly display the agape, God kind of love?
1 Corinthians 13 describes the ideal love, the perfect love. Surely we can’t do that! That’s where our passage about the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians helps us. Here’s what it says right before and right after listing the fruit of the Spirit:
“For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.” (Galatians 5:17-18) “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
So it is not our human frail love we have to count on, but through the Holy Spirit of God, we can love like God loves- even better, we can love with God’s love!
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us…We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:16-17a, 19)
Questions for Reflection:
1. Where have you seen agape love at its best?
2. When have you tried to love someone without God’s help?
3. How can you show agape love to those around you?
4. How does God show you that he loves you?
5. How do you show God that you love Him?
When I was in college, I had a friend who loved to play this game with songs. Everyone would agree on a word, like “truck” for example, and then we would take turns trying to think of songs with the word “truck” in it. If you couldn’t think of a word, you were out. The last person left would win, and then we’d pick a new word. I remember the time we did the word “love.” That game lasted for 3 days!
How many songs do you know with the word “love”? Lost love, found love, new love, or true love is the topic of most songs. How many catchy “love” quotes do you know? (“Love makes the world go ‘round.” “Love is blind.”)
It’s true that love is all around us, but where does this desire for love, to be loved, and to feel loved come from? The Greek word for love in the New Testament is agape. The Zondervan NIV concordance says that the word agape “in the New Testament [is] usually the active love of God for his Son and his people, and the active love his people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies.”
So the love we are to have for each other and even the love that we give back to God is modeled for us by God Himself! He shows us how to love by how He loves His own Son, Jesus. And He shows us how to love by how He displays His love toward us. And how does He do that?
“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) This then, truly is an active love. This is not a passive, feel-good-about-myself kind of love. This is a love with teeth.
Read 1 Corinthians 13 below.
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I guarantee you that if you google the word love, you will find all sorts of “love,” but most of it will not look anything like what we just read in 1 Corinthians 13 above. Why do human attempts at love fall so short and become so broken? How can we possibly display the agape, God kind of love?
1 Corinthians 13 describes the ideal love, the perfect love. Surely we can’t do that! That’s where our passage about the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians helps us. Here’s what it says right before and right after listing the fruit of the Spirit:
“For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.” (Galatians 5:17-18) “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
So it is not our human frail love we have to count on, but through the Holy Spirit of God, we can love like God loves- even better, we can love with God’s love!
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us…We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:16-17a, 19)
Questions for Reflection:
1. Where have you seen agape love at its best?
2. When have you tried to love someone without God’s help?
3. How can you show agape love to those around you?
4. How does God show you that he loves you?
5. How do you show God that you love Him?
The Produce Department by David Kalas
The Produce Department
Walk into Sentry and turn right, and you'll find yourself in the midst of that most appetizing portion of the store -- the Produce Department. Before you get to all the foods that are boxed, canned, bottled, and wrapped, you walk through Nature's section of the store. These foods are not wrapped in plastic or cellophane. These foods are wrapped in things like peels, leaves, and husks.
Admittedly, there is a great deal of modern technology that goes into producing our produce today. Still, the product remains fundamentally the same. Bring into our supermarkets a visitor from the 18th-century -- or anyone earlier -- and he will recognize the apples, oranges, and bananas. The macaroni-and-cheese shaped like Spongebob will not look familiar to him. Neither will the Froot Loops, the Fritos, or the Fanta. But he will know what he's looking at when he walks through the Produce Department, for it most resembles what every generation of humanity has known.
Indeed, the Produce Department is the part of our grocery store that most resembles Eden -- the fruit-filled garden, which was God's first home for human beings (Genesis 2:7-17).
God's first instructions to His Creation was to "be fruitful" (Genesis 1:22, 28; see also Genesis 8:17; 9:1, 7; 35:11) It is within the very design of produce to re-produce, and this design reflects God's will for all of Creation. And so we see, as the Scriptural story unfolds, that He continues to want to see fruitfulness from His creatures.
Fruitful Living
At the beginning of the Book of Psalms, we read a brief, poetic description of the righteous person -- the true man or woman of God. The Psalmist describes for us what this individual does and does not do. And, along the way, we are told that this exemplary person is "like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season" (Psalm 1:3 NIV).
The Old Testament understanding of righteousness was a thing that functioned the way that it was designed to function. A righteous human being, therefore, was understood to be one who lived the way that God designed a human being to live. And so the image of a fruitful tree was a natural metaphor for a righteous person.
Conversely, a wicked person is often identified in terms of a tree that does not bear fruit. John the Baptist warned that the judgment of the wicked would be like the cutting down of trees that fail to bear fruit (Matthew 3:9-10). And Jesus, likewise, indicated that you could tell the righteous from the unrighteous by "their fruit," echoing the prospect that any tree failing to produce good fruit would be cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 7:15-20).
Evidence of the mercy of God, however, is the fact that even the sinful are urged to bear fruit. Specifically, there is a sort of fruit that a sinner is capable of: the fruits of repentance. John the Baptist urged the crowds that came to hear him preach, saying, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance" (Luke 3:7-8 NRSV).
Meanwhile, once a person has repented of his or her sins and has come to salvation in Christ, there is a new and different kind of fruitfulness that God desires.
God's Orchard
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Galatia, he impressed upon them the differences between a life lived according to the flesh and a life lived according to the Spirit. He detailed for them what each kind of living produces. And the produce of a Spirit-lived life he appropriately referred to as "the fruit of the Spirit."
According to Paul, "The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23 TEV).
Produce, you know, is what comes naturally. You have to "make" macaroni. You have to "make" Froot Loops. But you don't have to make an apple or an orange or a peach. They grow naturally on the trees that produce them. And, likewise, the spiritual fruit Paul itemized are supposed to come naturally out of a certain kind of tree: namely, the individual who is living under the influence of the Spirit of God.
We have a phrase to capture that which is abundant and free. For we say of our limited resources, "You know, that stuff doesn't grow on trees." Well, fruit does grow on trees. It is God's design that trees produce and reproduce. There is fruitfulness and abundance in His will for nature, as well as in His will for human beings.
This, then, is truly fruitful living, and this is true righteousness: to live a life filled by the Spirit of God is to live the way God designed us to live. And that life blossoms forth in the virtues that reflect and resemble their Source.
Finally, we recall that insight of the Psalmist: that the righteous person is like a tree "which yields its fruit in season." That raises the question of the "seasons" for the spiritual fruit. What exactly is the "season" for self-control? What is the "season" for patience? If you and I are really allowing the Spirit to do His strong and lovely work within us, then we will be like that fruitful tree in Psalm 1: when the need rolls around for kindness, humility, or whathaveyou, we'll be there with the ripe produce!
Personal Reflection
As we embark on a several-week e-study of the fruit of the Spirit, give some personal thought to these fruit individually.
Here, again, is the list. As you read it, who is the person in your life experience that comes first to mind as exemplifying that particular fruit? As you read it, which fruit do you think others would say characterizes you? As you read it, which fruit do you especially lack? And, as you read it, consider a recent occasion in your life that was perhaps the "season" for each.
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Humility
Self-Control
Walk into Sentry and turn right, and you'll find yourself in the midst of that most appetizing portion of the store -- the Produce Department. Before you get to all the foods that are boxed, canned, bottled, and wrapped, you walk through Nature's section of the store. These foods are not wrapped in plastic or cellophane. These foods are wrapped in things like peels, leaves, and husks.
Admittedly, there is a great deal of modern technology that goes into producing our produce today. Still, the product remains fundamentally the same. Bring into our supermarkets a visitor from the 18th-century -- or anyone earlier -- and he will recognize the apples, oranges, and bananas. The macaroni-and-cheese shaped like Spongebob will not look familiar to him. Neither will the Froot Loops, the Fritos, or the Fanta. But he will know what he's looking at when he walks through the Produce Department, for it most resembles what every generation of humanity has known.
Indeed, the Produce Department is the part of our grocery store that most resembles Eden -- the fruit-filled garden, which was God's first home for human beings (Genesis 2:7-17).
God's first instructions to His Creation was to "be fruitful" (Genesis 1:22, 28; see also Genesis 8:17; 9:1, 7; 35:11) It is within the very design of produce to re-produce, and this design reflects God's will for all of Creation. And so we see, as the Scriptural story unfolds, that He continues to want to see fruitfulness from His creatures.
Fruitful Living
At the beginning of the Book of Psalms, we read a brief, poetic description of the righteous person -- the true man or woman of God. The Psalmist describes for us what this individual does and does not do. And, along the way, we are told that this exemplary person is "like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season" (Psalm 1:3 NIV).
The Old Testament understanding of righteousness was a thing that functioned the way that it was designed to function. A righteous human being, therefore, was understood to be one who lived the way that God designed a human being to live. And so the image of a fruitful tree was a natural metaphor for a righteous person.
Conversely, a wicked person is often identified in terms of a tree that does not bear fruit. John the Baptist warned that the judgment of the wicked would be like the cutting down of trees that fail to bear fruit (Matthew 3:9-10). And Jesus, likewise, indicated that you could tell the righteous from the unrighteous by "their fruit," echoing the prospect that any tree failing to produce good fruit would be cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 7:15-20).
Evidence of the mercy of God, however, is the fact that even the sinful are urged to bear fruit. Specifically, there is a sort of fruit that a sinner is capable of: the fruits of repentance. John the Baptist urged the crowds that came to hear him preach, saying, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance" (Luke 3:7-8 NRSV).
Meanwhile, once a person has repented of his or her sins and has come to salvation in Christ, there is a new and different kind of fruitfulness that God desires.
God's Orchard
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Galatia, he impressed upon them the differences between a life lived according to the flesh and a life lived according to the Spirit. He detailed for them what each kind of living produces. And the produce of a Spirit-lived life he appropriately referred to as "the fruit of the Spirit."
According to Paul, "The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23 TEV).
Produce, you know, is what comes naturally. You have to "make" macaroni. You have to "make" Froot Loops. But you don't have to make an apple or an orange or a peach. They grow naturally on the trees that produce them. And, likewise, the spiritual fruit Paul itemized are supposed to come naturally out of a certain kind of tree: namely, the individual who is living under the influence of the Spirit of God.
We have a phrase to capture that which is abundant and free. For we say of our limited resources, "You know, that stuff doesn't grow on trees." Well, fruit does grow on trees. It is God's design that trees produce and reproduce. There is fruitfulness and abundance in His will for nature, as well as in His will for human beings.
This, then, is truly fruitful living, and this is true righteousness: to live a life filled by the Spirit of God is to live the way God designed us to live. And that life blossoms forth in the virtues that reflect and resemble their Source.
Finally, we recall that insight of the Psalmist: that the righteous person is like a tree "which yields its fruit in season." That raises the question of the "seasons" for the spiritual fruit. What exactly is the "season" for self-control? What is the "season" for patience? If you and I are really allowing the Spirit to do His strong and lovely work within us, then we will be like that fruitful tree in Psalm 1: when the need rolls around for kindness, humility, or whathaveyou, we'll be there with the ripe produce!
Personal Reflection
As we embark on a several-week e-study of the fruit of the Spirit, give some personal thought to these fruit individually.
Here, again, is the list. As you read it, who is the person in your life experience that comes first to mind as exemplifying that particular fruit? As you read it, which fruit do you think others would say characterizes you? As you read it, which fruit do you especially lack? And, as you read it, consider a recent occasion in your life that was perhaps the "season" for each.
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Humility
Self-Control
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Why this blog?
I've been receiving so many good devotionals and e-mail Bible Studies from students and church members that I wanted to get them out there for more people to see. What if you signed up late? Now, you can go back and look at the previous ones. So this will sort of be the archives for what everyone has written.
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