Life Isn't Fair

When my kids were little, we had family rules posted on the refrigerator, perhaps 5 in all. The Number One rule was, “Life isn’t fair.” Whenever one of the kids would say, “That’s not fair!”, Brenda or I could reply, “Go see rule Number 1.”

(Rule Number 2 was, “You must pay taxes”.  Brenda and I could use rule Number 2 to grab a spoonful of whatever delicious treat, such as ice cream, that was being enjoyed. When Rule Number 2 was invoked, inevitably Rule Number 1 was also discussed.)

Today’s reading, Luke 23:1-25, is an example of life not being fair. Jesus was put on trial to face bogus charges. The Gentile leadership (represented by Pilate) found no crime committed. The Jewish leadership (represented by Herod) also found no crime committed. Yet Jesus was sentenced to death, simply to appease a mob of unbelievers.  This certainly was not fair to Jesus.

Jesus’ rejection by the world should not surprise us. The Bible is a history of humans rejecting God and his commands. Adam and Eve rejected God’s commands. Humanity rejected God and God then sent a flood to start over with Noah. Years later mankind rejected God when they built the Tower of Babel to honor pagan gods. (The Tower was a ziggurat, which Sumerian records tell us were “footstools of the gods”.) Even after Moses led the Jews out of Egypt, their history is one of rejecting God.

 In spite of our sinfulness, Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins, so that we may live with him forever and ever. Jesus gets punished for our sins and we get eternal life. By anyone’s account, getting the opposite of what we deserve certainly is not fair!

How do we respond to such “unfairness”? Jesus answered this question. He told us to let others know about him and make disciples of them. He told us to love our neighbors and to love God.

We deserve death, yet we are blessed because of Jesus.

Fortunately for us, life is not fair!

God's heart aches - Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:4

This verse finds God speaking to the serpent.  It is noteworthy to recognize that God did not offer Adam and Eve a second chance, but it would seem they did not ask for one; they were not repentant.  Do you find that as amazing and I?  When I first read that I had to read it again and then research it some.  Adam and Eve did realize they were naked, but they were not sorry for their actions which lead to their new emotions of shame. 

“And I will put enmity 

between you and the woman, 

and between your offspring and hers; 

he will crush your head, 

and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15 MSG)

It never occurred to me to question what would have happened had the couple asked for forgiveness.  When we think about it, how much time do we waste, how many relationships do we allow to be destroyed by our pride?  The simple gesture of humility, acknowledging wrong doing and asking for pardon could change everything.

The saying, "Life is too short," is often voiced because of lost time or missed opportunity.  It is crucial that we take a lesson from Adam and Eve, admit our faults and our sins and repent. Because we have God's Word to read and study and learn from, we know the end of the story so we have all the more reason to turn to God this day and every day.

Read the Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:4 texts here.  Listen to a reading of Genesis and Galatians texts here.

Dust to Dust, Genesis 2 and 3

I own a t-shirt sporting an apple with a bite taken out of it and the words, “My Bad, -Eve”, under the apple. This shirt get’s a lot of attention whenever I wear it. Everyone, Christian or not knows the story of Adam and Eve.

We all sin. Some still don’t want to admit it, but it doesn’t change how every day we doubt God’s sovereignty by doing things our way. The end of our passage shows what the consequences to our sin would be. God tells Adam,

“By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return."

Even through the consequences to sin, God has a plan. Think about this. Dust; get it wet and you have clay. A lump of clay is ineffective on its own; it is full of nothing, but more clay. Like us, without God and His direction we are a lump of clay, useless and full of ourselves. But in the hands of the Potter we can be molded into something useful. The process can be painful; the Potter will push, pull and stretch us into a useful vessel.

Once we let the Potter shape us, an amazing thing happens. Despite our sin, He uses us! He hollows us of ourselves, filling us with His love and grace so we can pour that love back out into a hurting and sinful world.

You can read today's scripture on Biblegateway.com Genesis 2 and 3

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All Things Created - Genesis 1

When I was a child, my favorite times were those spent at grandma and grandpa's house. Grandpa loved to tell us stories. Every story he told began with, "Once upon a time." When we heard those words we knew he was starting from the beginning with a favorite fairy tale, and we were going to love it.

When I open my Bible to the first book, Genesis, and begin reading the first line, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," I am reminded of that magical time of my youth. Grandpa not only told us stories like The Three Bears, he would also tell us Bible stories like Adam and Eve. My sister and I would make a game of it when Grandpa shared this story. We would point to items in a National Geographic Magazine and ask, "Did God make this?" Patiently he would respond to every finger point and question with, "Yes, God made that too."

For me it is an exciting part of reading the first chapter of Genesis, as it is revealed to us that, "Yes, God made the earth, and light, and day and night and sea and land and plants and animals and people." It is fun reading Genesis and remembering how God made everything! Oh, I have to add that every story he told us ended with, “And they lived happily ever after,” and this one will too.

Read the entire scripture reference at Biblegateway in Genesis 1

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Evil all the Time - Genesis 6:1-8

We can turn good into bad. Cell phones, were used as a convenience to keep families and business partners in touch. Now, we have text-bullying, sexting, tweeting to gather rowdy crowds, and accidents from distractions of driving and texting. Drugs, used for treating illnesses, are now leading to addictions and, in many cases, death.

Before sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, God saw good in every thing He created. After sin began, people became aware of an alternative choice to good—bad choices. People, left on their own, driven by their wants and desires, had great difficulty being obedient to God.

Today's scripture states, "…that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time." (v 5b) What a strong statement on the magnitude of sin people created!

“…and His heart was filled with pain.” (v 6b) Since no sin is any greater or lesser than any other in God’s eyes, this reveals how God feels about sin—my sin. To think that I fill his heart with pain stops me in my tracks! I am ashamed to admit, this doesn’t keep me from doing things I shouldn't do. How human sin is today as it was in the time of Noah.

I thank God for His awesome love, faithfulness, and constant presence. I am grateful He hasn’t left me on my own. I thank Him for His Son, Jesus Christ. By His death and resurrection I am forgiven and can turn from my sin back to Him.

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Read today's text on Biblegateway, Genesis 6:1-8

Sin Enters the World -- Genesis 3

"No!" My friend, seeing his 3 year old daughter, hand on her hip, was somewhat amused at her defiance. Lately Maddy's need to exercise her freedom of choices had become greater than her desire to follow her father's requests. New boundaries were formed. They would still have fun, but now Maddy was aware of having choices she had to learn about consequences.

Sin entered the world when Eve said "no" to God and "yes" to her needs and desires. Eve ate the forbidden fruit and enticed Adam to do likewise. They experienced evil by yielding to temptation and disobeying God. God wanted them to understand and admit their sin. They tried to hide from God. Nothing could cover up the truth. They were both sinners.

As I look at today's reading, I think how intensely sin changed Adam and Eve's lives. They were taken out of the beautiful and serene garden. Never again would they enjoy the garden's blessings of inner peace, joy, and beauty. Sin filled them with doubt, fear, and guilt. Consequences led to new terms for living, working, and securing happiness. Their fellowship with God was broken.

Through the story of Adam and Eve, God's message is clear. He wants a personal relationship with me. At the same time He casts light on my sinful self making choices that keep us apart.

How thankful I am. I am blessed by living in a time of hope in Jesus Christ. He reconciles me to God when I get off track!

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Read today's text on Biblegateway, Genesis 3.

No Lone Rangers, Genesis 2:4-25

As I write this devotion, I am watching my husband play with our son in the swimming pool. Steve is patiently teaching our three year old how to kick in order to move and not just splash. I am having one of those moments were I see how blessed I am. God in his infinite knowledge took me, my needs, dreams and desires into consideration when matching me with Steve. I feel so undeserving.

We have wonderful balance. On days where I am tired and in need of a break, Steve will be ready to wrestle or run around the backyard with Evan. We compliment each other’s weaknesses, or rather struggles for that day.

We see in our scripture today that God didn’t want Adam to be alone. He created someone Adam could share his life with. God still does that today. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard being married. All relationships have their struggles. There are days when I wonder why we put ourselves through so much. That doesn’t mean that it’s not worth it. Steve and I talk frequently about how God’s was active in putting the two of us together.

Whether it’s your spouse, best friend or maybe like me you have an adopted child. I believe God’s puts us in each other’s lives for a reason. He does not want us to be alone. We were created to complement each other.

Read today's entire scripture on Biblegateway Genesis 2:4-25

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