Read Matthew 1:68-79
The conception and birth of a baby to a couple who have struggled with infertility for a long marriage is a BIG deal in itself. But when Zechariah is told of this miracle, he doubts this angel-delivered announcement. So God gives him the whole pregnancy in silence to "think about it," including the time when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, comes for a long visit with her cousin Elizabeth, Zechariah's wife.
When the time comes for John the Baptist's birth, Zechariah is more than ready. He gets his speech back just in time to agree with Elizabeth about John's name. Then "the rest of it" comes pouring out of Zechariah's heart/mouth in a remarkable "awe-hymn" that puts its arms around Zechariah's whole BIG picture of God's mercy and faithfulness.
This is more than a miracle baby. God is very specifically at work in bigger ways than even Zechariah's awe-hymn can describe. This is a prelude to another bigger baby miracle.
Awe is what comes from both stories. Awe also comes from things in our lives as they unfold in the mercy and power of God's grace to us and through us. Awe is our response, our worship, our praise.
QUESTIONS:
1. Can you remember times in your life when things turned out bigger/better/more than you could have imagined and thought at the time?
2. What's happening right now that, in God's mercy, might be more and better? Can you trust God for what's happening? Can you pray for awe?
PRAYER:
God, give us AWE at Your mercy. Help us see Your faithfulness in big and little things. Open our eyes and hearts to Awe. Amen.
Paul Ulring
Showing posts with label God's faithfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's faithfulness. Show all posts
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Saturday, December 1, 2018
The Buckeye Faithful
When
we moved to Columbus in 1985, we had no idea how rabid Buckeye fans could be.
However, we quickly learned when virtually every time we were introduced
as moving from Lansing, Michigan, the response was invariably the same, “Well
at least you’re not a Michigan fan!”
Last
Saturday, Ohio Stadium was packed with 106,588 mostly Buckeye fans. It was a
sea of red screaming for their team. A friend of mine, who has season tickets,
said he had never heard the crowd as loud when during the game Ohio State
blocked a punt and ran the ball in for a touchdown.
Similar
to “The Game” last Saturday, here is a different kind of victorious scene.
John
draws us a picture of believers who surround the throne of God worshipping Him.
Because no matter what happens in life; no matter how bad our circumstances
are; no matter how painful life is; when all is said and done; God is
victorious. And His victory ultimately is ours.
That
reason still exists today for you and for me. We may not experience victory
every minute of every day, but it is there waiting for us. That’s a promise
made by the Living God who is faithful yesterday, today and forever.
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Pleasing Dad
Hebrews 13:1-17
(Use the link below to read the verses.)
Growing
up there wasn’t anybody that I wanted to make proud of me more than my Father.
I desperately needed his love and approval, and I’d do anything to get it.
Before
my senior year of high school, my Dad got a job in a different state. Because I
wanted to finish school with my childhood friends, my parents made arrangements
for me to live with a family friend.
With
plans to leave soon, my parents came to the last football game that they would
ever see me play. The problem was that I spent most of my time on the bench.
Desperately
wanting to get into the game to do something special, the coach called my name.
I wanted to do something, anything to make my Dad notice me; to make him proud;
to make him stand up and yell, “That’s my son!”
Hebrews
13 gives us a lot of ways to please God. In the first paragraph alone, the
writer says to love one another; to show hospitality; to remember those that
are in prison;1 and to comfort those who are suffering.
He
also reminds us that God is always with us; that he will never leave us; that
he is the same “yesterday, today and forever”; and that Jesus suffered and died
for us to make us holy. And how are we to respond to who God is and what He has
done?
15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of
praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. NLT
In
the moment of that high school football game, I would have run through a brick
wall for my Dad. Instead, I picked out an overweight defensive lineman who was
huffing and puffing about twenty yards from the ball carrier and leveled him with
my best block ever. My Dad never mentioned the play.
But
I have a Heavenly Father who is always with me; who loves me the same as He did
yesterday, today and tomorrow no matter what I do or don’t do; who loved me so
much that He sent His one and only son to die for me.
That’s
the Dad that I want to make proud of me.
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Murphy’s Law
Romans 5:1-5
When I was first married, we had a small leak in our half bath downstairs. When I tried to repair it, instead of tightening the pipes, I disconnected them. Do you know how small those pipes are? And do you know what small pipes do to water pressure? Water shot out of there so hard and fast that pieces of toilet paper were blasted onto the ceiling.
That was a perfect example of Murphy’s Law which is, “Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong”. Yup! Been there, done that!
My co-worker recently had a streak of bad luck. First her stove died and they went for weeks before the replacement arrived. Then one of their cars was making some weird noises. Several hundred dollars later, the noise was gone. Finally, the dish washer started leaking and had to be replaced. Have you ever heard of the saying, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all”? Been there, done that!
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for
we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance
develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of
salvation. NLT
To respond to adversity with rejoicing or pure joy seems not only counter-intuitive, but ridiculous. Why would you do such a thing? I’m glad you asked.
This
is not to say that adversity isn’t hard, because it is. But even in adversity,
we can know that God is with us; He is working in our life to draw us closer to
Him; and that He loves us no matter what happens.
That, my friend, is cause to rejoice.
That was a perfect example of Murphy’s Law which is, “Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong”. Yup! Been there, done that!
My co-worker recently had a streak of bad luck. First her stove died and they went for weeks before the replacement arrived. Then one of their cars was making some weird noises. Several hundred dollars later, the noise was gone. Finally, the dish washer started leaking and had to be replaced. Have you ever heard of the saying, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all”? Been there, done that!
Adversity,
affliction, problems, struggles, suffering, issues, trials, temptations, testing,
or troubles - whatever you want to call them; we’ve all experienced them. But
Paul and James suggest dealing with them in a highly unusual way.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you
face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing
of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish
its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1 NIV
To respond to adversity with rejoicing or pure joy seems not only counter-intuitive, but ridiculous. Why would you do such a thing? I’m glad you asked.
5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been
poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. NIV
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from
God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our
fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can
separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in
the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate
us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8 NLT
That, my friend, is cause to rejoice.
Saturday, November 10, 2018
The Wall
Philippians 1:3-6
(Use the link below to read the verses.)
Marathon
runners talk about hitting “the wall”. It is
defined as “that period in a
marathon when running changes from being pretty
hard to being really, really hard. It is the point where your body and mind are
simultaneously tested. It's the perfect intersection of fatigue and diminished
mental faculties”. (Taken from Active.com)
The
Philippian believers had been partners with Paul in ministry ever since they
first believed. After responding to his message, they immediately joined in
spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. For this reason, Paul gives thanks for
the Philippians. But not just for that reason.
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you,
will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ
Jesus returns. NLT
There
are a lot of pitfalls in life that can knock us down, or even lead us down the
wrong path. The Philippians experienced them. You’ve experienced them. The Good
News is that God is always at work in your life; working to bring you closer to
Him; and working through you in the lives of people you know.
How
do you keep your faith in the midst of trials and temptations? The author of
Hebrews wrote about the great examples of the faith. Despite that, all of them
had their own struggles with sin… with life.
There
is no simple formula to follow; no easy answers to finishing well. In fact, there
are as many examples of those who didn’t finish well. But remember this: just
like with the Philippian believers, God is faithful, “yesterday, today and tomorrow”.
Like
a marathon runner, you may have reached “the wall” in your life. But remember, you
can still finish well! And when you do, then you can be 100% certain to hear
these words: “Well done my good and
faithful servant”.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Cycle of Life
When
I went away to college, my Dad told me he expected a letter a week from me. I’m
not sure if he said this because he was going to miss me, or if this was his
way to try to control me… or maybe both.
12 Dear friends, you
always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it
is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation,
obeying God with deep reverence and fear. NLT
Paul had invested
himself in the Philippians, and now they were to do the same with others. In a
very real way, God’s plan is for you to be involved in this same spiritual
cycle. A cycle where God is as much involved as you are.
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1 NLT
The “cycle of
life” includes preparing your children for the day when they will leave your
home with the intent that they will become an independent, mature adult. Then,
possibly someday, they will raise a family of their own.
God has called us
to be involved in the spiritual “cycle of life”. The first person He called to
this was Abram.
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2 NIV
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2 NIV
This cycle of
life promise is still valid today for you and me. Whose life are you involved
in? Who is God using you to bless?
Saturday, July 7, 2018
What If?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
(Use the link below to read the verses.)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give
thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for
you. ESV
What
if your baby’s diaper pail is full and as you begin pulling the plastic bag
out, it rips and… well you get the picture. Would you be rejoicing or giving
thanks?
What
if your husband, who is a farmer, is out on the tractor when a nearby driver is
texting and runs off the road killing him making you a young widow and leaving
your three young children without a father?
What
if you are pregnant with your first child when the doctor tells you that your
baby is still born?
What
if, at age fifty-five, after you’ve given your heart and soul to your career,
your employer informs you that you’re being let go?
What
if your best friend from high school dies from cancer at age 66?
What
if… life happens? Are you able to rejoice; to give thanks; to pray?
We’re
not robots are we? We have feelings when things like this happen. We get angry.
We feel defeated, depressed. We feel worthless. We want to lash out at someone,
but who? God is pretty convenient sometimes.
How
can we obey these verses? Paul wrote that this is God’s will for us, but how do
we do it? In fact, it can be just as difficult to obey these verses when
everything is going well as it is when life sucks.
Yes,
life can be very painful at times. But just as Paul reminded the Thessalonian
believers that God loved them; that the power of the Holy Spirit was working in
them; that death is not the end, but the ultimate victory is ours through Christ
- he is reminding us of these same truths as well.
What
if when life happens you not only feel the pain or the joy of the moment, but you
put yourself in the hands of God? What if you pray?
Saturday, October 28, 2017
How Do You Respond: Grace or Judgement?
1 Corinthians 1:4-9
(Use the link below to read the verses.)
How
do you respond when… someone cuts you off in traffic and then puts on their
breaks? When you feel like someone has slighted you? When your boss makes a
derogatory remark about you? When your spouse doesn’t meet your expectations?
Do you respond with grace… or with judgement?
During
the first century, the Jews were steeped in the law. Grace was a foreign concept
to them. As a result, Jesus had numerous confrontations with the religious
leaders; Paul was beaten and persecuted multiple times; and the early church
struggled with the issue of requiring circumcision.
There
is something deep within the human heart that doesn’t want to forgive; doesn’t
want to show grace; but instead wants to judge and condemn.
It’s
somewhat surprising that Paul writes in his letter to the believers at Corinth
that he gives thanks for the grace shown to them; because they show so little
grace to others. The Corinthian church struggled with divisions, immorality,
discrimination against the poor and many other serious issues.
There’s
a need for introspection. The Corinthian church needed it, and we need it.
How
did you answer the questions in the first paragraph? If you are honest, you could
probably add some of your own more pointedly personal questions. But, no matter
how deeply imbedded our struggles, God’s grace and His faithfulness will win
the day.
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of
God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you
were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge… 7 so that
you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord
Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in
the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom
you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ESV
So
the choice is yours. How will you respond to God’s grace and faithfulness? Will
you show grace, or will you show judgement to others? God gave His grace to us
so that we might share it, not keep it for ourselves.
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Above All Else
2 Timothy 2:8-19
(Use the link below to
read the verses.)
During
game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals, there was a play that resulted in a heated confrontation
between David West, of the Golden State Warriors and Tristan Thompson, of the
Cleveland Cavaliers. They got into a major argument with nose to nose shouting
and pushing.
As
a result, both received technical fouls, but nobody really won the argument.
Often times, that’s how arguments end; there is no true winner, only losers.
In
a heated argument, both people are highly invested in their own opinion. If
they are honest, neither is really interested in truly listening to the other
person’s point of view. Mostly, they just want to win the argument. That’s not only
the case with the above example; that’s human nature. But Paul wrote this to
Timothy:
14 Remind your people of things like this, and tell them as
before God not to fight wordy battles, which help no one and may undermine the
faith of some who hear them. 15 For yourself, concentrate on
winning God’s approval, on being a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, and
who knows how to use the word of
truth to the best advantage. Phillips NT
We
live in a highly competitive world where winning can cause us to lose
perspective; to lose sight of what is truly important. In fact, it’s been said,
that winning is everything. But Paul is making the point that although God’s Truth
is unchanging, winning God’s approval is, above all else, most important.
Before
you leave for vacation, it always seems like you have twenty things to do and
not enough time to do it. You have to focus and set priorities. You have to ask
yourself, “What is most important”? So it was with Paul.
He
knew it was close to the end of his life when he wrote his letter to Timothy. This
helped him to focus on what was the most important thing. Don’t worry about
winning
every argument but, above all else, concentrate on winning God’s
approval.
Above all else, guard your
heart,
for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Elite Athletes
Psalm 8
Two
weeks ago a record number of Ohio State University football players were
drafted by the National Football League. Each one is an elite athlete in his
own right. Each one exceled at the top of the college level and those that know
talent best, believe they will excel at the next level.
However,
not everybody that plays football has that kind of talent. In fact, most people
don’t. According to the NCAA website, of the total number of NCAA student
athletes playing football, only 1.9% will play professionally. Basketball is
even a smaller percentage.
These
are not very good odds. In fact, for the majority of high school athletes, they
could easily feel intimidated and overwhelmed. They could feel like a miniscule
nobody in an eternal universe of stars.
3 “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the
moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is
mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” NIV
One
of the life lessons of being on a sports team is that every player
contributes; from the starters to the last player on the bench. The same is
true for us as believers in Christ. Every person has an important role to play.
Every person has God given talents that they are to use to share and build the
Kingdom of God.
5 “You have made them a little lower than the angels and
crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You made them rulers over
the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: 7 all
flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in
the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.” NIV
Because
God has created us in His image, we hold a position of great honor. He has
called us to serve Him with authority and responsibility.
In
the Parable of the talents, Jesus tells the story about the master who gave
talents to his three servants while he was away. To the two who invested their
talents, the master responded by saying, 23 “Well
done, good and faithful servant!” But to the third servant who hid his talent
he said, 26 “You wicked,
lazy servant.”
In
the world of following God, we are all elite athletes as long as we use the
talents He has given us. Will you be a responsible steward of your time, talent
and treasures? Will the Lord say to you on that day, “Well done, good and faithful servant”?
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Promises Kept
Psalm 145
When
my granddaughter was about 3 years old, she took a swimming class. The
highlight of the class was at the end when the water slide was opened up. One
Saturday, my daughter asked me to come to the class and go into the water with
my granddaughter. I was more than happy to oblige.
During
the class, my granddaughter told me several times how much fun the water slide
was, but she made me promise that I absolutely wouldn’t let her head go under
water at the bottom of the slide. I vowed that I would never let that happen.
As
we began our descent from the top of the slide, I had both arms wrapped tightly
around her. But as we continued our downward spiral, I began to lose my grip.
The slide was tossing me from side to side. Instinctively, I let go with one
hand and then the other to regain my balance. Suddenly, without warning, we
were at the bottom and into the water with both of our heads going under.
 |
| My feet are all that can be seen of us. |
When
we got out, my granddaughter looked very, very distressed. When asked if she wanted
to go down the slide again, her response was a very clipped, “No. I want to go
home. I want my Daddy.” Grandpa had failed to keep his promise.
Promises,
and how we respond to them, reveal our character. Ultimately, it reveals who we
are by how we treat others. David wrote in Psalm 145 about the character of God.
God’s character can be seen by how He works in our lives. In fact, seven times
in this Psalm David mentions “your works”.
For
me, it is easier to see God’s works with twenty-twenty hind sight than it is
during the daily grind of life. Afterwards, I can look back and see how He
brought certain people or experiences or even books or a movie into my life to
shape my thinking. God has been constantly at work in my life because He loves
me.
My
granddaughter didn’t think much of my character on that Saturday morning in
question. All she knew was that her grandpa had not kept his promise, whether
it was intended or not.
We
never have to worry about that with our Lord. He always keeps His promises. He
shows His love to us by His faithfulness, and as His followers, we are to show
His love to others by our faithfulness. Therefore, let us love one another with
Christ’s love through promises kept.
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Ps.145
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Struggles and Doubt
Mercy for doubters
Jude 17-25
Have
you ever experienced a time in your life when you struggled and were filled
with doubts? Maybe it was a broken relationship; or your job was downsized; or a
family member died suddenly or was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Life has
a way of bringing struggles and doubts to all of us.
Mark
tells the story of the man who asked Jesus to heal his son because his
disciples weren’t able to. Both the disciples and the father doubted Jesus.
21-22 “Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been going
on?” “Ever since he was a little boy. Many times it pitches him into the fire
or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart
and help us!” 23 Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among
believers. Anything can happen.” 24 No sooner were the words
out of his mouth than the father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my
doubts!” MSG
We live in a culture that is filled with values and
beliefs that are not Christian – pride, materialism and lust to name a few. God
has called us to live in this culture; not to conform to it, but to transform
it. If we are not careful, we can adopt those same values and beliefs of the
world around us.
In
his letter, Jude is writing to Christians who are struggling and doubting
because of some false teaching about grace and sin.
22 “Try to help those who
argue against you. Be merciful to those who doubt. 23 Save some
by snatching them as from the very flames of hell itself. And as for others,
help them to find the Lord by being kind to them, but be careful that you
yourselves aren’t pulled along into their sins. Hate every trace of their sin
while being merciful to them as sinners.” TLB
Whatever struggles you face in life; whatever doubts
you may have; God is always with you. God is always at work in your life to
draw you closer to Him. God has given you grace so that you may share His grace
and love with others.
16 “Let us then approach God’s
throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to
help us in our time of need.” NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Jude.1.17-Jude.1.25
Saturday, April 9, 2016
A Faith that Fails
Jesus commends tiny faith
Matthew 17:14-21
Speaking
of which, here’s what Jesus had to say to his disciples when they couldn’t heal
the boy suffering from seizures: 17 “What
a generation! No sense of God! No focus to your lives! How many times do I have
to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring
the boy here.” MSG
The
passage today is about the failure of Jesus’ closest followers. After three
years, their faith was not big enough to heal the demon possessed boy. Jesus
had just returned from a mountain top retreat; The Transfiguration. Knowing that
the cross was waiting for him in Jerusalem, he confronted his disciples. They had
failed miserably! What would they do once he was gone?
When
was the last time you failed? For me, it is every day! Jesus explains that all
we need is a very tiny amount of faith, and “nothing
will be impossible for you”. When was the last time you moved a mountain or
healed a demon possessed boy? I don’t believe however, that we need to do miracles
to use our “mustard seed faith”.
Hebrews
11 describes the faith of many from the Old Testament, none of which moved
mountains. By faith, Abraham went to an unknown foreign country; Moses led the
Israelites; Rahab mislead the spies. These were not miraculous acts, but the
actions of ordinary people done by faith.
They
had failures in their lives too. Abraham lied about his wife to save himself.
Moses was a murderer. Rahab was a prostitute. Indeed, they had failures, but
each one had faith the size of a mustard seed that moved mountains.
Following
the list of faithful men and women in Hebrews 11 is this statement in chapter
12: “Therefore, since we are surrounded
by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race
marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and
perfecter of faith.” NIV
Despite
having failures, God has called you and called me to “throw off the sin… run with perseverance… and fix our eyes on Jesus”.
He doesn’t call us to miraculous acts; only to obedience based on faith.
Faith
the size of a mustard seed. Faith in a God who is always faithful, always with
us, always loves us and always forgives us. He forgives our faith that so often
fails.
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