New Creations

Isaiah 62 is about vindication and salvation.It also speaks of a new name - a new creation.Isaiah 62:2b (NRSVue) - and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul writes about reconciliation.He also touches on a new creation.2 Corinthians 5:17 – (NRSVue) - So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being!But what does it mean to be a new creation?In basic terms, the moment we establish a relationship with Christ, we become a new creation.We are different from the way we...

Living Instead of Surviving

In Isaiah 46, the prophet reminds the people that God is unique in the universe.No one compares to Him.Isaiah 46:9 (NRSVue) - remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like me,At the beginning of Revelation, John concludes his introduction.Revelation 1:8 – (NRSVue) - I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.Aside from God, everyone and everything is finite.We are born, we live, and we die.Even the churches of Earth are finite.God existed long before human beings were created.God...

Grace Is for Everyone

In Job 12, Job claims that he is a laughingstock.Yet Job understands God’s wisdom and strength.Moreover, Job understands that everyone belongs to God.Job 12:16 (NRSVue) - With him are strength and wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his.Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, goes a step further.Everyone belongs to God.And God wants everyone to be saved.1 Timothy 2:4 (NRSVue) – who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.Pilate asked, “What is truth?”The simple answer is Christ,Jesus said as much to His followers.John 14:6 – (NRSVue) - Jesus said to him, “I...

The Power of the Understated

Scripture often has a great deal to say about some people.People like Moses, Abraham, and David come to mind.There are others, to be sure.In comparison, some are barely mentioned,There may be a verse here and a verse there making these individuals easy to overlook.Enoch was such a person.Genesis 5 tells us he was the father of Methuselah.But then Scripture adds one especially important verse.Genesis 5:24 (NRSVue) - Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him.Here, scripture tells us that “Enoch walked with God.”Although brief, this statement is full of meaning.What does it...

The Wilderness Experience

 The people wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.But they received a reminder as they were about to enter the land promised to their ancestors.Deuteronomy 8:2 (NRSVue) - Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments.The people were tested for forty years.But Scripture reminds us that Christ was also tested in the wilderness.Christ was tested for forty days.Mark 1:12-13 (NRSVue) - And the Spirit immediately drove him out into...

New Year; New You

Psalm 48 is a song about the strength of Zion.But the Psalmist ends the song with a reminder of the source of strength.Psalm 48:14 (NRSVue) - that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will be our guide forever.John 14 is a beautiful chapter,In its opening verses, Christ reminds his followers of several inescapable facts,He reminds them that He is going to prepare a place for them.He also reminds them that they know the way.Only Thomas asks the question that the others were asking themselves.“Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”John 14:6 (NRSVue) - Jesus said...

Blessed Are the Pure in Heart

In Job 5, God corrects Job.But it is verse eleven that stands out to me especially at this time of the year.Job 5:11 (NRSVue) - he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.In Paul’s first letter to Corinth, he writes of the wisdom of God which is different from the wisdom of the world.1 Corinthians 1:27 (NRSVue) - But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strongHear again, these words mean much to me at this time of year.It was at this time of the year almost twenty years ago that my mother...

What Is Your Ministry?

Isaiah 61 is about The Good News of Deliverance.But the prophet speaks of more than deliverance.He also speaks of roles that are to be filled.Isaiah 61:6a (NRSVue) - but you shall be called priests of the Lord; you shall be named ministers of our God;We typically think of ministers as individuals who answer God’s call to lead a congregation.But this is only one type of ministry.Paul, in his first letter to Corinth, writes of The Ministry of the Apostles.1 Corinthians 4:1 (NRSVue) - Think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.Believers are given a wide assortment...

Faith: Where It Belongs

Author’s Note: I want to be clear from the outset that this devotional is about faith, not politics. We recently had an election in America. Although this means a change in leadership, two things are truly clear. First, America is a divided country politically. That means it is likely that there are about as many Christians who voted for one candidate as for the other. Second, I find the outcry on various social media platforms, especially from the young, disheartening. While I support free speech, the tone of the rhetoric reveals much. Primarily, people place more trust in men and women...

For Want of a Shepherd

Psalm 23:1 (NRSVue) - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.Psalm 23 must be among one of the most memorized passages in all Scripture.We find tremendous comfort in its words.It is often recited at funeral services.Immediately, the Psalmist sets the stage for comfort.“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”Those who trust that the Lord is their shepherd desire nothing.They have all they could hope for or need.In John 10, Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd.Jesus knows His sheep and He knows them by name.But Jesus also explains why He is the Good Shepherd.John 10:11 (NRSVue) -...

Becoming a Better Neighbor

Genesis 50:20 (NRSVue) - Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. Here, Joseph is a powerful man, second only to Pharoah in terms of leadership. Reunited with his brothers who sold him into slavery, Joseph forgives them. Joseph reminds his brothers that God used their treachery for good. In Luke 6, Jesus teaches His followers that they are to love their enemies. His lesson is simple. Luke 6:28 (NRSVue) - bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. This is one step in what it means...

Go to the Source

Isaiah 49:10 (NKJV) - They shall neither hunger nor thirst, Neither heat nor sun shall strike them; For He who has mercy on them will lead them, Even by the springs of water He will guide them.Isaiah delivers a message from God.God promises provision.God even promises a time when he will provide a source of water.And with that provision, God will make certain that none are thirsty again,In the fourth chapter of John, Jesus encounters a woman at a well.Even though she is Samarian, Jesus speaks at length with her.The woman tells Jesus she comes to the well every day to draw water and carry it home.Jesus...

God’s Will and God’s Provision

Psalm 94:19 (NRSVue) - When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.Psalm 94 is about God avenging the righteous.But the psalmist recognizes that when troubles are many, God is there.Luke 22 is the account of Christ just prior to His betrayal and crucifixion.Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives, a place He frequents.As the time draws ever nearer, the moment weighs heavily upon Him.He leaves His disciples behind and goes off to pray to the Father.His Divine and human nature come to the fore.His human nature knows of the coming pain, suffering, and death.But His Divine nature...

The Source of Provision

Job 38:41 (NRSVue) - Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God and wander about for lack of food? In this chapter, the Lord answers Job. In doing so, The Lord compares His omnipotence to Job’s weakness. Job is reminded that even the ravens and their young are provided for by God. Paul, in his first letter to Corinth, discusses divisions within the Church. He compares his role to that of Apollos. One did the planting while the other watered. But it was God who brought about growth. 1 Corinthians 3:7 (NRSVue) - So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters...

Generations of Faith

Recently, I came across an old photograph of my mother’s older siblings.It made me consider the faith of the previous generation of my family,It also made me consider my own faith as well.In Ezekiel 20, the prophet first discusses the continuing rebellion of the people.He then turns his attention to the fact that God will restore them.Ezekiel 20:41-42 (NRSVue) - As a pleasing odor I will accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations. You shall know that...

Attacks on Christianity?

Jeremiah 1:19 (NRSVue) - They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you.”This verse is part of God’s call and commission of Jeremiah.God reminds the prophet that people will oppose him.God also promises never to abandon Jeremiah.In John 17, Jesus prays for His disciples.Jesus prays for them and not the world.John 17:9 (NRSVue) - I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours.I find it amazing that these verses were on my mind at this time.This...

First and Last

Isaiah 41:4 (NRSVue) - Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, am first and will be with the last.In this chapter, Isaiah assures the people of God’s help.Speaking for the Lord. Isaiah reminds the people that God was the first and he will be the last.After the opening of Revelation 1, John shares a vision of Christ.John states that the moment he saw Christ, he fell at His feet.But Christ offers words of comfort and encouragement.Christ reminds John that, as part of the Trinity, He was first, and He will be the last.Revelation 1:17b-18 (NRSVue)...

A New Spirit and a New Heart

Ezekiel 11:19 (NRSVue) - I will give them one heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,In this chapter, God shares his judgement of evil councilors with the prophet.God then pronounces that He will restore His people.This will be a complete restoration.The people will have a new spirit.They will also have new hearts.These new hearts will be capable of gentleness and compassion.Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, opens with words of encouragement.Paul reminds Timothy of the new spirit and the new heart that God...

A Solid Foundation

Ezra 3:11b (NRSVue) - And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord had been laid.In Ezra 3, the builders laid the foundation of the temple.The priests made music.They then sang songs of praise and thanksgiving.Then all the people gave a great shout as they praised the Lord.In Paul’s first letter to Corinth, he addresses division within the church.He even addresses the confusion concerning his role.He likens himself to a master builder who laid the foundation.Yet others will build on that foundation.He reminds these...

Return to the Fold

Joshua 24:16 (NRSVue) - Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods,In Joshua 24, the tribes renewed the covenant.Making promises is easy.Keeping them is another matter,In Judges (after Joshua’s death), the people fail to follow God’s instructions completely.It did not take them long to forsake the promise they made.In John 6, we are told that many disciples heard the teaching of Jesus.Many of them found His teaching difficult, so they turned away,Jesus then asked the twelve who remained if they wished to leave.They stayed.Their reasoning was...

We Change, God Does Not

Psalm 40:3a (NRSVue) - He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.Psalm 40 encompasses two themes.It is a psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance.It is also a prayer for help. Yet both share a common root.God delivers and is a source of help because He is eternal and unchanging.Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, reminds his readers that they are to change.Paul discusses the old life and the new life.Paul reminds them, and us, we need renewal.Ephesians 4:23 (NRSVue) - and to be renewed in the spirit of your mindsBut this renewal is only possible because God is eternal and...

True Peace of Mind

Isaiah 54:4a (NRSVue) - Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace,Some translations refer to Isaiah 54 as “The Lord Loves Israel,”This translation refers to it as “The Eternal Covenant of Peace.”Frankly, I will not argue with either,The prophet begins this verse with “Do not fear.”Scripture repeatedly reminds us that we are not to fear.Small wonder as we seem to need reminding throughout our lives.Scripture also reminds us of this after the Resurrection,When the women went to the tomb of Jesus, they found an angel instead.This filled them...

A Plan for Life

Ezekiel 18:23 (NRSVue) - Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that they should turn from their ways and live?Ezekiel 18 speaks of individual retribution.A common belief at the time was that punishment for sin would be passed on to ensuing generations.The prophet declares that this is not so.A child will not be punished by God for the sins of his parent.Neither will a parent be punished by God for the sins of his child.Those who do not turn away from their sin and repent will die.But this is not what God desires.What God wants is for the sinner to change...

A Place Prepared

Isaiah 43:16 (NRSVue) - Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters,In Isaiah 43, the prophet speaks of God’s restoration and protection.He hearkens back to the day when Moses led the people out of bondage.When pursued by Pharoah’s chariots, God parted the sea for his people,He provided a means of escape so they could reach the Promised Land.In John 14, Jesus also speaks of a way out.He speaks of the means of escape from the cares of this world to the Father.And just as God parted the sea, God provided us with a way to our own promised land.God provided us with...

Faithful in Word and Deed

The closing of 2 Kings 13 recounts how the King of Aram oppressed God’s people. It then tells how Israel recaptured those cities. More importantly, it tells why. 2 Kings 13:23 (NRSVue) - But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them; he turned toward them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and would not destroy them, nor has he banished them from his presence until now. God showed His people compassion because of His promise. In the eleventh chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans, he states God’s rejection is not final. He also speaks on the salvation...

A Beautiful Gesture

Psalm 22:1 (NRSVue) - My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?Psalm 22 is a plea for deliverance from hostility and suffering.Just before His death on the cross, Christ used these words.Matthew 27:46 (NRSVue) - And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”The question arises: “Why would God forsake Jesus at this critical moment?”To forsake means to “turn away from.”So, why did God turn away from Jesus?The simple answer: because it was...

Continued Love and Mercy

Psalm 118:18 (NRSVue) - The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.Psalm 118 is known as a ‘Song of Victory’.In verse 18, the psalmist acknowledges God’s mercy.The Lord corrected him, but the Lord did not hand down a sentence of death.Christ also showed mercy.He not only healed a man, but He also healed him on the Sabbath.John 5:5,8-9 (NRSVue) - One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.This was not the only time Jesus healed...

To the End of the Age

Psalm 102:26 (NRSVue) - They will perish, but you endure; they will all wear out like a garment. You change them like clothing, and they pass away,Psalm 102 is a prayer.It is a prayer from one in crisis and in need of help.It is a prayer to the eternal and unchanging God.Matthew 28 begins with the resurrection of Jesus.It ends with the commissioning of the disciples.Jesus concludes this commission with a reminder; a reminder that He is ever present.Matthew 28:20 (NRSVue) - and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.Our...

Time Is Relative

Psalm 39:5 (NIV) - You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.In the verse preceding this, the psalmist asks the Lord to reveal his remaining days.This is to remind the psalmist how fleeting his life is.But in verse five, he acknowledges that to an eternal God, a human lifetime is very brief.Paul, in his second letter to Corinth discusses living by faith.2 Corinthians 4:16 (NRSVue) - So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.True,...

New Year, New Love

Hosea 6:6 (NRSVue) - For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.The prophet Hosea called upon the people to repent.But repentance was not in their hearts.They continued to offer their sacrifices, but their hearts were not in them.God made it clear that sacrifices and offerings were not what he wanted.What God wanted was their love and for them to come to know Him.Paul, in his letter to the Romans, reminded them that they were to love their neighbor.Moreover, it was love, not sacrifice, that fulfilled the law.Romans 13:10 (NRSVue) - Love does...