May 30 - Finding the Right Words

Read: Acts 9:32-43

What do you do when someone you encounter is experiencing tragedy?  I often find myself tongue tied, filled with feelings of inadequacy and helplessness.  Thoughts of, “What could I possibly say or do that could make a difference?”

In today’s story, the Apostle Peter encounters two such tragic situations. Peter had spent 3 years walking with Jesus, seeing Him comfort people, heal the sick, and even raise the dead. Now in these days after Jesus’ resurrection, Peter draws on his experiences with Jesus, and trusts the leading of the Holy Spirit in his heart to bring comfort, healing and the hope of life.

First, Peter encounters a man, Aeneas, who has been bedridden for 8 long years.  No one had been able to help him, and he suffered day after day, with no hope of things changing.

Peter says, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.”  

These words are an echo of very words he had heard Jesus speak to the paralytic that had been lowered down to Him through the roof, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” (Mark 2:11)

Next, Peter is told of a beloved woman named Tabitha who had become sick and died.  She was a blessing to everyone she knew, and her untimely death brought sorrow and grief to those her life had touched. They are all trying to make sense of if all, so they ask Peter to come.  I am sure they were hoping that he would provide words of comfort and hope.

Moved by the Holy Spirit, Peter again remembers what he had seen his Savior say and do.

Peter puts them all out of the room, and says to the dead woman, “Tabitha, get up.”

These are an echo of Jesus words when He is taken to home of a synagogue ruler whose daughter had died.  “(Jesus) took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum!’ (which means ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’)” (Mark 5:41)

You're holding their hands
You're straining for words
You're trying to make sense of it all
They're desperate for hope
Darkness clouding their view
They're looking to you

Just love them like Jesus
Carry them to Him
His yoke is easy
His burden is light
You don't need the answers
To all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them
Stay by their side
And love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus         

Casting Crowns, “Love Them Like Jesus”

May 18 - Keep Speaking

Acts 18:5-11

Paul’s message of the gospel of Jesus was opposed so severely that the author said that the opposition was “abusive,” and you can certainly see that from Paul’s response. He shook out his clothes and said to those who were opposing the message of Jesus, “your blood be on your own head.”

Paul has a vision where the Lord speaks to him and says to him,

Do not be afraid.

Keep speaking.

I am with you.

I marvel at this. These Jesus words are worth repeating today to anyone who has been abused and is afraid. And has lost their voice. Jesus sees. Jesus knows. Jesus says, “I am with you.” The abusive words hurled at Paul, scared him and were meant for silencing him, particularly for him to stop speaking the gospel. Jesus met Paul with even more power. First with His presence. His kind and loving presence. And then with His words. Words of healing. Words meant for strengthening and restoring.

My first-grade teacher called my parents in shock and joy, because she heard me yell in delight on the playground. I was such a quiet child, she had hardly heard me speak, let alone yell. My quiet by nature personality was already at that tender age turning into a bit of a prison, where I had decided to lock up my voice. And quite honestly, I feel like I have spent most of my life perfecting my ability to muscle myself into silence. Thank goodness, concurrent with my muscling, I have story after story in my life of the kind and loving presence of Jesus who says the same words to me, as he said to Paul,

Do not be afraid.

Keep speaking.

I am with you.

As you hear these words of Jesus, may they cause the same delight of a small child who cries out in happiness and joy, as they run around and play. Jesus has called you His own. 

Being Freed from the Shackles of “What is in it for me?”

Read: Acts 16:16-40

We have all been taught that if something seems too good to be true, it is. Why is that?  Our experience tells us that if someone is offering us something, there are always strings attached.  If we hear about a FREE offer, we immediately ask, “What’s the catch?” Or “What is their hidden agenda?”

We see it in our own actions and attitudes too, right?  The social law of reciprocity, if I scratch your back, you will scratch mine.  I will be nice to you, so you will buy from me, or so I can further my agenda. 

It feels like such a lonely desert of emptiness, doesn’t it?

I see this playing out in today’s story.  As Paul is on his way to pray in the book of Acts, he is confronted with a fortune teller who says, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”  He gets annoyed with this after it happens for several days and he commands the evil Spirit to come out of her. 

The woman is healed!  Yet instead seeing her healing as a joy, her owners were angry that their lucrative “meal ticket” has been taken away from them.  Do you ever see this attitude in yourself?  When someone else at work gets well deserved accolades, or you see someone else enjoying a special vacation, a relationship. Is there a sting in your heart?

Paul and Silas are imprisoned for healing this woman.  They pray and sing praises as they are confined and shackled.  At midnight, a mighty earthquake breaks open the prison cells and loosens the chains.  God had rescued Paul and Silas!  Certainly, God provided this miracle to set them free, right?

When the jailer awakes, he tries to end his life.  He knew the punishment for allowing his prisoners to escape. He would be subjected to the punishment that each of them deserved. 

But at that moment, Paul cries out, “Do not harm yourself! We are all still here!”  Why do you suppose Paul and Silas stayed?  Why did they not escape while they had the chance?  After all, God had provided this miracle, they should take this gift while they have the chance!!

In stark contrast to the emptiness of self-serving agendas, Paul knew the consequences that would fall on this jailer if they escaped.  Having soaked himself in prayer and praise all night in chains, he followed the lead of the One who had once shown mercy on him. Paul had been unshackled by the Grace of Jesus, to live a different kind of life.

Lord, as I look at my own life, I often see my actions are often prompted by “what’s in it for me” agendas.  Your secret ambition was to give Yourself up for me when I did not deserve it.  Help me to bath myself in prayer and praises of gratitude so that I too may give up my life, to live differently, seeking to show unselfish love with no hidden agenda, as You have loved me. 

April 20 - Can You Relate?

Acts 1:15-26

I kinda love this story in Acts. The humanity of it speaks loud and clear. The apostles are down a team member and know that they need to replace Judas. After a description, the gory details of his ending are pronounced, a declaration that the group needs to call another is made. This, in and of itself, had to have been treacherous for the person coming after Judas.

After hearing in detail, what happened to the last guy, who’s lining up for this job? Well, we know of at least two. And their willingness to be considered, says a lot. I don’t think any of us would be willing to be considered, unless this mission, to share with others your personal account and witness of Jesus’ resurrection, didn’t completely transform you, recreate you and redefine you. Otherwise, I think you might quietly duck out the back and look for another community, or another job.

As I reflect more deeply, I think I can relate to being both the betrayer Judas, and Matthias, the next chosen to witness to the resurrection. Both are deeply human and flawed. I am Judas, the betrayer. My sins took Jesus to the cross. And, as my eyes are opened to how deep my betrayal goes, I die too. My sins are put to death in Christ’s death. Here’s where I can relate to Matthias.

The resurrection of Jesus is also my resurrection from betrayer to beloved. And, I am crazy enough to then stand among believers and say, I am willing to partake in this mission to share and witness to Christ’ resurrection. First his, and then mine too. 

April 11 - Holy Saturday - Abandon and Forsaken

Read: Mark.15.21-38

Has there been a time in your life when you have felt left behind, cast off, totally abandon, forgotten, rejected, forsaken?  Maybe you are feeling that way right now as we go through this pandemic and social distancing. Many who are dying, are utterly alone. 

As you think about a time like that in your life, what did it feel like?  What things were racing through your mind? 

I remember a time when I was a little girl, shopping with my Mother.  I was playing around, hiding in the clothing racks, enjoying a little game of hide-and-seek.  My Mom was not amused.  She kept scolding me to stay close, saying that she wanted to know where I was, so I didn’t get lost.  (Honestly, I kind of enjoyed having her look for me.)  The game went awry when I came out from behind a rack of dresses and she was no where to be seen.  Fear and panic rushed over me.  In those next few seconds, my mind was racing!! "What if I really am lost?  What if she got so annoyed with me that she just decided to leave me behind?  What if I am left alone forever?"

Did you hear how those thoughts progressed?  First the fear of being lost, which is terrifying enough.  But then creeps in the feelings of guilt and shame that say, “See what you have done? Now you are getting what you deserve!” 

Good Friday, the day we remember what Jesus did for us on the cross, is depicted in today’s reading.  The details of His crucifixion and suffering are spelled out in great detail. The verses that follow tell us very little about what his followers did the next day, Holy Saturday. 

I am sure that while they grieved the loss of their Master, they were reflecting on all the things that had happened.  Their minds must have been racing through all the details of things Jesus and done and said to them during their time together. Now, they felt hopelessly lost, abandon, forgotten, rejected and forsaken.

That is why I find these words of Jesus from the cross so powerfully poignant. Perhaps this one phrase from the previous day’s events stuck out in their minds. 

“About three o’clock, Jesus shouted with a mighty voice . . . ‘My God, My God, why have you turned your back on me?’”

God’s own Son, who had lived a perfect life, their long-awaited Savior, cries out in the deepest anguish of soul known to humankind, feeling rejected and abandon by God. 

Did He deserve it? Did He get what was coming to Him?  No!  But He exchanged places with US.  He took was we deserved.  He nailed all our failures, sin and shame to the cross that day and paid for them with His life.  In return, He has offers to us the peace that comes from knowing we have been loved with an eternal, everlasting love that can NEVER be taken away.

We need never fear being abandoned again!

March 14 - Grounded and Open Hearted

John 2:18-25

I have become a bit of a fitness nut over the past few years.  I just love learning new types of programs to keep me challenged and engaged.  I especially enjoy mixed martial arts, yoga and barre. 

All three of these styles of physical activity incorporate some of the same basic principles. 

Always firmly ground yourself. 

The more firmly you are grounded, the more fluid, strong and graceful your movements.

Build on a strong core, and you can expand your upper body, breathe deeply, lift your gaze upward, soften your shoulders and open your heart. 

Today’s reading reminded me of these principles.  Jesus was just beginning His ministry and was gaining a following.  It says, “many believed in His name when they saw the signs He was doing.”  The next sentence says, “but He did not entrust Himself to them” because “He knew what was in a man.”

Jesus grounded Himself.  Not on how popular He became, or what other people thought of Him.  Jesus grounded Himself on the SOLID core foundation of His Father’s love and who He said He was.  

As a result, Jesus, knowing that people would disappoint Him, betray Him, and eventually kill Him, He could still open His heart and love them.  He would not entrust Himself to them,  but drew on the strength of His identity and the unfailing love of His Almighty, everlasting Father.

“When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.”  1 Peter 2:23

Here is my prayer for all of you today, my friends:

“That according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21

Does Prayer Really Change Things?

Read: Mark 8:22-25

Fresh out of college, I married my high school sweetheart. We had dated for 6 years, and even though we had had a lot of ups and down, we were finally going to be married and be happy!

A few weeks before the wedding, I ran into a family friend and was sharing with him how excited we were about starting our new life together. He said to me, “Once you get married, the real work starts.  Marriage is hard work!” 

I was puzzled by his comment.  I had seen my parents model a relationship of love, trust and respect, a relationship that was built upon their mutual faith and core values, that lasted through all the challenges of life, a total of 71 years.  They made it seem so effortless.  

After we were married, it didn’t take long for the “hard work” to begin.  The weeks, months, years and quarter of a century that followed were nothing I could have ever imagined.  The man I had married and had known since I was 14 years old was not the person I thought he was.  Like the layers of on onion, one lie, and then another, and then another were being revealed. When one shoe of deception and betrayal would drop, I as the enabler would run in and try to fix it.  I was sure that if I loved him enough and kept praying, things would change.

Things did not change.  In fact, they spiraled completely out of control. I wondered, “Where is God in all of this?  Why is He not answering my prayers?” 

It has been 14 years since that relationship ended in divorce after 25 years.  I have a new life now and am so grateful for how God did answer my prayers.  It was a slow process.  He helped me escape from that destructive life. He put people around me on every side to help me heal, including my current husband of the last 10 years.  Many of you have played an irreplaceable role in my healing.  

But even during my healing process, I have still often asked God, “Open my eyes, Lord.  Please reveal to me why this happened?  Why did you allow me to marry this man?  What purpose did this serve in my life?”

During one such prayer time with Jesus recently, I asked, “Why did I waste so much of my life bearing through all the hardship, going to counseling, hoping and against hope?  Why did I not see things clearly? Help me to see what purpose You had in all this?”

Just like the blind man in our story today, God has been healed me ever so slowly.

“My beloved daughter, I have called you to shine the light of hope and truth to those who feel helpless and hopeless.  I will show you the way.”

“My beloved Bride, my love that went to the cross for YOU was not wasted.

When You love others, your love is NEVER WASTED!” 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You do answer our prayers.  Even when the answers are not immediate, You are always working, under the surface, causing the seeds to sprout and grow, the seeds of Your amazing vision of restoration, healing and love.  May I ever be rooted and grounded in Your love as I wait in joyful anticipation of how You will reveal Your love to me next!  

Crippled

Read:  Acts 14:8-10

In today’s reading we hear about a man who was crippled from birth.  What do you think of when you hear the word “crippled?”

The word crippled means having a less than fully functional limb, or injuries which prevent full mobility.

Perhaps that is why it seems calling a person a cripple in today’s world sounds offensive. The word brings derogatory or even shaming connotations, as though the person is devalued as “less than” or not “fully” human.

This would have especially been true in biblical times.  This man had been hopelessly crippled from birth, and as a result viewed as subhuman, defective, outcast, perhaps even cursed and certainly not worthy of anyone’s time or attention. 

As Paul is speaking to the crowds in that city, something in this crippled outcast draws his attention.  Something in the man’s demeanor revealed something to Paul.  The cripple had not only had heard the good news of Jesus, but he also realized that the gospel message was intended for him, crippled though he was.

Lord, search my heart. Show me where I have devalued people, when I have viewed others as “less than” or not “fully” human.  Show me how I may be a vehicle of Your transforming kindness, grace and love to all those whom You love and for whom You gave Your life.

And Lord, when I feel “less than” or not “fully” all I am meant to be, draw me to the message of Your saving grace once again. I come humbly to Your feet, seeking restoration and healing in all my crippled ways. 

Thank You for Your amazing love that transcends all that I can possibly think or imagine.  May I this day leap up and walk the paths You have laid out for me today!!  

Do As the Roman Does

Luke 7:1-10

What a powerful story of faith this is. This is the first account so far in the book of Luke where Jesus has dealt with a Gentile. And that, in part, is what makes this story so amazing.

The man was a Roman officer, a centurion. He'd heard of Jesus' amazing miracles and because of his love for his servant, sent for Jesus. This man, who did not believe in God, believed that Jesus could command healing. And on top of that, he believed Jesus could do it without even being present. As a Roman centurion, he understood authority and saw that Jesus had it. And, he realized that Jesus' authority was much greater than his own. This faith amazed Jesus. People, his own disciples included, saw him heal and still didn't believe he was the Son of God. But this man had such faith in Jesus' healing power and authority and he wasn't even a Jew. And Jesus did a miraculous work of healing, like he so often did and still does today.

This story makes me think about faith and its power, about our belief in the authority of Jesus as the Lord of all creation. How often do I doubt God's authority in my life? How often do I think I need to do things on my own, or make a decision out of my own interests because I lack the faith to trust that God is holding me?

When I look at this story more closely, I find an interesting insight. The centurion's faith in Jesus' healing power comes out of desperation, and that desperation comes out of love. His love and care for his servant causes his need for healing; his hopeless situation drives him to have faith in the only option left to him: a miracle from the one they're calling "the Son of God." And he has no choice but to have faith.

I know that in my life, I tend to have stronger faith when I am desperate and hopeless. When I feel the need for Jesus is when I give my life up to his power and authority. It's when things are fine and dandy that I struggle to have that powerful faith that submits to Jesus' authority, because I feel like I'm doing just fine on my own. Maybe you're the opposite, and your faith is strong in good times and you fail to cry out to God when times are tough. Whatever your faith looks like, we all struggle at times to recognize the complete authority of Christ. But when we do recognize it, the pressure comes off of us to always know what to do, to be perfect, to make the right decision. When we put our full faith in the power of Jesus, no matter the circumstance, he will always guide us through.

Reflect:
1. What are the ebb and flow patterns of faith in your life? Does your faith grow stronger in times of desperation or do you rely more on yourself or others during those times?
2. How can you give your life up to the power and authority of Jesus on a daily basis? Pray and ask God for this.

Our dear friend Jesus

Matthew 9:2

In this passage we see friends who cared deeply enough for the one to bring their friend to Jesus. This paralyzed man could not hide his need for healing, like so many of us do.  It was right there for everyone to see, but it was his friends who took action and brought him to Jesus. His friends wanted more for him.

This reminds me of the fact that even when we’ve done a great job at hiding our need for healing, isn’t it our friends who continue to love and care for us? Sometimes we’re so good at the hiding that we actually hide our need for healing from ourselves. It’s quite the cover up job, one that I am humbled to say, I am quite familiar with.

I am grateful for the gift of good friends who continue to love me and see my need for healing more clearly than I do and have time and time again, lovingly brought me to Jesus. And yet, even when life is lonely enough that we feel even our closest friends can’t see our deep need for healing, we all have an even dearer friend named Jesus, who sees even deeper still into our lives.  

This paralyzed man had friends who knew his body needed healing and brought him straight to Jesus.  Jesus amazed everyone by healing this man’s body and his soul.  It gives me great comfort to know that Jesus is a healer who sees the whole me, not just my outward needs, but my greatest inner need for forgiveness.  We all receive forgiveness just like the man in this story, completely passively.  We do nothing and everything is accomplished in Christ.  I can’t think of a greater friend than that. 

Reviving our Memory

Read:  John 21:1-11

I loved my Dad.  He loved being active, helping people, and an amazing man of faith.  Back in the year 2000, he and my Mom moved from their home in Northwest Ohio into a Condo near my sister and I here in Columbus.

In their new Condo, Dad set up a little wood working shop in his garage where he made things, especially things he could give away as mementos of his faith.  His favorite thing to make was crosses.  When he was in conversations with people, he would often ask, “Do you have a cross in your home?”  And the follow up question, “If I give you one, will you put it up?”  Many of the people my Dad touched still have one of his crosses in their home.

As he aged, slowly his memory started to fail.  First it started small, like not remembering what he had had for lunch, or what time it was. Before long he was having times where he had fallen and did not remember what happened.  At one point, my Mom started getting scared when he would come in from the garage and say, “Someone else’s car is in our garage.” 

In April of 2010, we as a family decided to help my parents move into assisted living.  Over the next few years, my Dad’s condition became worse and worse. Our worst fears were realized when they diagnosed him with Alzheimer’s disease.  Things were disappearing from their apartment, like his glasses, or my Mom’s dentures, only to find out that he had hidden them or thrown them away.  He would ask my Mom the same questions over and over like, “Where is Mother?”

The assisted living facility would plan special activities for the residence. One of their favorite events was when the singing group called “Black Hat” would come play for them.  This precious couple, Jimmy and Eve, brought their talent of music, song and love to the residence.  In the first few years, my Dad would joyfully participate in their sing-a-longs to the oldies. But as his Alzheimer’s progressed, he could no longer read nor remember the words, so he would just fall to sleep.

One day, when the “Black Hat” came, I had the opportunity to join my parents.  As they went through their repertoire, my Mom sang along, and Dad quietly listened, a little distracted.  When they started with their gospel songs, to my amazement, when they began with , “Jesus Loves Me” soon I heard my Dad’s baritone singing voice bellowing out the words.

 “Jesus Love me this I know, for the Bible tells me so,

Little Ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong!!”

Recalling this now brings tears to my eyes.

Just like in today’s Bible reading, we often get spiritually forgetful.  We don’t recognize the voice of Jesus when He is calling out to us “Friends, do you have any _______?”

Then He softly tethers Himself to our memory banks, awakening a part of our soul that we thought was lost and long gone. There He is waiting for us, drawing us to Himself, and reassuring us that He will NEVER leave or forsake us!

When you hear Him calling you today, don’t resist.  Don’t tell yourself you are only imagining it, or that you are too busy.  He is there waiting for you.  Listen to His voice calling You!