Clearing a Path

Hebrews 12:23-29

Today’s message from Hebrews talks about God performing a thorough housecleaning and getting rid of the “junk.”  The God of the Old Testament may come off harsher than the God of the New Testament, but they are one and the same.  I love my children, but sometimes I need to be a disciplinarian.  Just like God loves us at all times, sometimes He needs to lay down the law and “clean house” to make room for what’s essential.

Clearing out what’s not necessary can make our kingdom journey a lot easier.  How wonderful is it that the kingdom is unwavering?!  Like it says in verses 28-29:  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire."

Imagine if God was not a consuming fire, burning what needs to be burned?  Our lives would be utter chaos.  Thank God, He is a fire that gets rid of what we don’t need.  Kids today say, “that’s fire!” which means “that’s awesome” and we do have an awesome God.

Father, during this time of Thanksgiving, we want to praise you for providing what we need and eliminating what we don’t.  Thank you for clearing our paths to the kingdom.  Like we often say during our time of confession on Sundays, Forgive us, renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Fireproof Construction

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

We’re in this life thing together.  It’s impossible to not be influenced, good or bad, by those we encounter each day.  Even though we’d like to think we’re solely responsible for our “foundations,” we can’t overlook the fact that others are contributing to our formation too.

Will everyone who comes to work bring the same tools and care about quality craftsmanship?  Nope!  We need to be diligent in who and what we allow to be part of our lives.  If Christ is our cornerstone, then it’s much easier to construct a solid temple, but if, like The Message says, we use “cheap and inferior materials,” the outcome won’t be good.

So, who are we allowing on our job site?  What materials are they bringing that will become permanent elements of our foundation?  Verse 13 says, “It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.”  Are we fireproof?  Will we survive?

There may be times we feel our walls are crumbling and they very well may be, but that doesn’t mean hope is lost.  It means we’ll need to rebuild and the materials we use this time will hopefully withstand the next fire, because there will be others.

We pray, we learn, we grow and with God’s grace we come back stronger.

Lord, you are the foreman of my life.  You oversee all aspects of my construction.  May quality materials and upmost care be used to build a life that’s able to withstand whatever tries to tear it down.  Amen.

Living as a Light

I’ve always loved light. Sunlight, Christmas lights, fire, chandeliers, moonlight. When I think about the perfect moment, it always includes twinkle lights- the lighting always sets the mood. I’ll pick the best lighting I see fit, but the magic of light always changes the scene into something way greater than I ever could’ve imagined, and it’s not what I decided for it, but the essence of the lights that makes the difference. 

When I think of myself as a child of the light, I realize I try to control what that light does, and what it looks like: how I speak, what I say, where I go, what I do, how I do it. I’ve noticed lately that I act differently around different people. I choose a different light to embody based on who I’m around. Around my church friends and acquaintances I choose a soft white light- I speak more quietly, more carefully, I’m reserved. Around school friends, I’m a blazing fire- my words know no bounds, I’m quick and untamed, and sometimes out of control. And when I’m meeting people for the first time, I choose the fairy lights- I show off, speak of things I know more of than the next person, and of the things I do better. My lights are inconsistent, and sometimes the essence of them shines in ways that I don’t intend, in poor ways. 

What does it look like for me to be a child of the light? What does my light look like when I’m “find[ing] out what pleases the Lord”? Should it look differently around different people, or should it maintain in the brilliance of Christ? 

I think my light should come from what’s within. I want people to see a light inside of me, and not the one I’ve dressed myself with. I want people to see a light in my eyes. I want my love to be visible, my words to be illuminated, and my actions to become a light for those around me.

Ephesians 5:1-13

I Smell Smoke...

Today’s passage touches my heart like none has before.  I wish we were sitting down having coffee so I could share this entire story with you.  I will do my best to pretend. 

It was almost 5 years ago when my husband, a pastor in a mainline church, was confronted with a dilemma. You see, he was being tested. God was giving him almost daily opportunities to serve him, or make the people happy.  It just so happened, the “people” were church folk and powerful ones at that.

Continually as the tension of our situation grew, Steve would ask me, “What should I do?”  I would simply state, “Do the next right thing.”  Steve would remind me that the next right thing could cost him his job as pastor of this church we have come to love.  I would simply smile and say, “Do the next right thing.”

It didn’t take long for those powerful church people to put Steve’s “feet to the coals”, if you will, and he did the next right thing.  He stood up for the gospel of Christ and proudly stated that he would not waiver. My husband was fired that day.

That evening we were doing our nightly devotion with Evan, our 6 year-old-son, and I kid you not, the very next devotion in his Bible, was the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walking in the fiery furnace.  Our son, who passively listened to the stories every other night started to cry.  Steve and I gently asked him what was wrong. 

Evan replied, “But I don’t want to walk through fire.”  Evan had NO idea what had just happened and how Steve and I were feeling as if we were now having to walk through the fire.

We smiled at Evan and calmly said, “Don’t you see, Jesus rescued them.  God isn’t asking you to walk though actual fire for him, but life won’t always be easy and we may wonder where God is.  This story helps us to remember, God is with us and as life gets hard; we can trust that He will be right there.”

Our words were enough to calm Evan's anxious hear that evening.  We’ve needed to reassure him over the years, as the flames seemed to be licking our heals.  But, our testimony has been constant, "God is here and He can be trusted."  

Looking back, I have never been so afraid and so proud all at once.  My world was caving in and I was now waiting for God to rescue us from the fire. And I am excited to say, HE HAS! 

It has been a hot fire.  The fire seared us on every side, but I can honestly say that the only thing the fire burnt were my bindings.  Praise Jesus!  What I thought might kill us, God used to destroy the things that tied us down.

You can trust him like that too.  If you are confronted with some life-altering choices, can I give you some advice?  Just do the next right thing.  Then, trust God to be there no matter the cost.

Read today's passage here Daniel 3:26-29

or

Read the whole story here Daniel 3 

Psalms 29

The Voice of the Lord

As we sat around the fire pit observing a gorgeous fiery orange sunlit sky, the sphere

that lit up our world was slowly retiring for the night. Above, the evening sky was fading into darkness and sparkling stars began to appear. I thought, “You ARE an amazing God.”

The fire was lit for everyone to enjoy, and as the cool of nightfall emerged it felt nice. The group was conversing quietly as the flames danced in silence as if happy to be warming and comforting us.

From out of the blackness that surrounded us, someone approached and dropped a few large pieces of wood, some kindling followed by a few squirts of fuel onto the gently burning fire. The blaze grew, eventually erupting into something fierce and loud. The flames were no longer dancing but pounding and reaching every which way. Everyone backed away in awe and fear. I listened as the voices of the small crowd grew louder and more forceful. I watched as their expressions became intense, almost vulgar.

This observer could no longer participate in the event. My mind took me back to the Bible, and the frequent reference it makes to God being mighty and powerful. This voice of the Lord that was gentle and peaceful, warming His children became a fiery threat due to disrespect.

Psalms 29; 7-8 “The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightening.  The voice of the Lord shakes the desert.”

Psalms 29: 11 “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

As the fire was being treated respectfully, given the proper amount of wood and not violated in any way, it gently warmed the people surrounding it. They felt security and contentment to be in its presence. As too much fuel was added to the fire along with another change agent, it was nearly out of control and became dangerous. The people changed from comfortable to fearful.

The Lord is our strength and our salvation. He cares for us as we respect and follow his word.

As we stray and become lax in our commitment to Him, it’s like adding fuel to a fire that is already perfect.

Psalms 29: 1-2 “Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones,

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”

Read/Listen to Psalms 29

Coming Before Our God

Psalm 95:1-7

What does coming before God mean and what does it look like?

At times it may be on your knees, head in your hands and tears in your sorrow filled heart.

Another time it could look more like grateful hands raised upward for all God has offered you.

Possibly the first thing in the morning in the quiet of your favorite room, you engage in silent conversation with the Savior.

We present ourselves before the Lord in many ways and for numerous reasons, but let us be reminded that regardless of our location or stance, we are to preface our prayer and petitions with praise.  

Psalm 95:1-7 reminds us;

“Let us come before Him with thanksgiving.”

“”Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under His care.”

No matter what our prayer may be addressing, when we go to Him, we are acknowledging God as our Maker and caretaker.

Throughout the Bible, references are made to the importance of worshiping in spirit and truth.

Hebrews 12:28-29 “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

Lord, we praise and worship you for all that you are and always will be. We honor your unconditional love for us, and unending faith in this world. Glory to you, oh great and mighty one!

Read/Listen to Psalm 95:1-7 

Don't Get Burned

I admit it. I am a closet pyromaniac. I really enjoy fires in my fireplace at home. Perhaps more than I should!

 

We have all been told, “Don’t play with matches” when we were young. You guessed it. I did. And I got burned.

 

(I am not sure which was worse, burning my fingers, or suffering in silence. I had to keep quiet.  Had I told my parents, I am certain a different part of my body would have gotten hot, if you get my gist.)

 

Today’s reading is Hebrews 3:7-19. The author is speaking to Jewish converts who were reverting back to Judaism instead of moving ahead with their new Christian faith. He reminds these converts that God was not happy with their forefathers when they went astray in the dessert, en route to the Promised Land.

 

Their forefathers turned away from God and did not trust Him or believe His promises.

 

The author continues to remind the new converts that God punished those who ignored His promises. The generation who left Egypt died before entering the Promised Land.

 

In effect, the author says, “If you play with fire, you are going to get burned.”

 

Yet, instructions are given that help one keep one’s faith. “… encourage one another daily … so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness …. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.”

 

Keeping one’s faith in today’s world can be a challenge at times. We are tugged away from Christ from many sources. Like the Hebrews, we can be guilty of falling back to the ways of the world. We need to combat this and do exercises that help us keep our faith.

 

The author of Hebrews provides good counsel, but his advice is not the only advice that works for Christians today.

 

What exercises do you do that help you appreciate God and keep your faith?

 

My favorites are reading the Bible and taking Communion.

 

But I also like a tall glass of ice water nearby!

 

 

Matthew 3: 1-12

John The Baptist Prepares The Way

“John’s clothes were made of camel hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.”

The picture this paints for us is so sincere. Can’t you just envision the men, women and children journeying to this place of peace and hope? Not in a hurry like we are today, as they walked through the desert or rode on the backs of camels and donkeys. Not filled with anxiety about getting to work on time or earning enough money to cover the bills or purchase unnecessary toys. Filled only with the urgency of their hearts, to be forgiven and filled with the grace of God,……..they traveled.

Matthew uses thought provoking symbolism to paint us a picture of this scene. As John saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he had a message for them. It began with the phrase; “You brood of vipers!” He went on to inform them that; “One must produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” It is not just one act of dipping in the water that will make us sons of God, but true repentance and living a fruit bearing life. “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

John then promises Jesus’ coming, as he speaks of one who is more powerful than he, one whose sandals he is not fit to carry. His words illustrate Jesus’ baptizing style as far more intense than his, as Jesus uses the Holy Spirit and fire to baptize. “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

The term winnowing is defined as: examine something in order to remove the bad, the unusable or undesirable parts.

The message is clear. Seeking forgiveness and repenting is necessary, yet it is not the end, but the beginning. From this place, maintaining a sincere heart and bearing fruit for the Lord, we will be spared from the winnowing fork. Amen.

Read/Listen to Matthew 3: 1-12 

Fire Proof- 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Do you have a fire proof safe in your house? We don’t but we want to get one. There are important documents that we want to keep protected incase a fire destroys our home. Many of us prepare for unforeseen disasters, we buy insurance for our homes, our cars, and even ourselves so that those we leave behind will be okay. But have we made sure our next destination is secured?

Our scripture passage today talks about a builder who needs to build on a sure foundation. Paul explains that the only foundation that can hold up is Jesus Christ. He then explains that we need to choose wisely the building material we use when building.

If Christ is our foundation that is great, next we need to take a look at how we are building on him. Do our actions each day mix well with the foundation of Christ or are we trying to pour a concrete roof on a house made of straw?

When I get to heaven I know that some of my building material will probably burn up through the fire of God’s judgment, but I hope I have served Christ well in this life. I pray that with Christ as my foundation I have been able, through God’s grace, to bless others through my time and love.

Read today’s passage at Biblegateway 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Consuming Fire, 2 Peter 3

Have you ever watched a fire? My husband and I were watching the news tonight report a fire in San Bruno which has consumed at least twenty homes. Fire is destructive; it consumes everything in its path. 2 Peter 3 talks about how when Jesus comes again the world will be destroyed by fire. Many people had been scoffing Christians for their continued faith in Christ, ridiculing them for believing the second coming will still happen.

They don’t realize that it was for their very unbelief that God exercised patience by not destroying the earth. God displays that same patience today. He desires everyone to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The only reason we are still here today is that there are more who need to know. There are still people in the world whose hearts are open to the gospel, but who haven’t submitted to the salvation offered.

Our job is to, “live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” Fire is destructive and it is final. Once it consumes there is no turning back, let’s not waste any more time, but spend every day sharing God’s love with the world before it’s gone.

Read the entire passage on Biblegateway 2 Peter 3