Transformations November 30, 2015

Read Romans 12:1-3

Philippians 1:6      being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Psalm 138:8     The LORD will vindicate me; your love, LORD, endures forever-- do not abandon the works of your hands.

1 Corinthians 1:8     He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:10     so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Philippians 2:12     Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Philippians 2:16     as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

After several months of planning to remodel our kitchen, my wife and I began all the removing, tearing out, patching, hanging, painting, and installing. In the end, we were pleased with the results.

After the hard work was over, I reflected on the passage quoted above. I realized that the weeks of labor we devoted to transforming our kitchen were nothing compared to the time and effort God puts into transforming my life. I am a work in progress, being transformed over a lifetime — day by day — by a loving God.

We seek God’s transformation when we read and meditate on the scriptures — taking the time to discern what thoughts, attitudes, and actions do not bring glory to God and then praying about them. When I am impatient with others, remembering God’s kindness brings me a peace that helps me respond with love instead of anger. When I pray for those who frustrate me, God’s Spirit replaces my contempt with compassion. The job of transforming each of us is not over, but I am assured that God will complete the work begun in us — replacing our old ways with “what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

A Very Real Presence November 29, 2015

Read Matthew 18:2-6

2 Timothy 1:5      I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Acts 16:1     Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.

1 Timothy 1:5     The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

2 Timothy 3:15     and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

From a young age, Diego has lived with cancer. With his parents always at his side, he has endured treatments, been hospitalized for months on end, and missed out on attending school with his friends. What’s more, he has felt and seen the sadness around him without understanding why this illness was happening to him.

But Diego’s parents and grandmother taught him to rely on God’s mercy and healing. They instructed him in the faith that helped him remain courageous and resolute in the face of his daunting illness.

Today, we give thanks to God for Diego. He has endured great trials — but not alone. Many people have helped, encouraging him with prayers and timely assistance. Diego now smiles with happiness and confidence. God, his constant companion, worked a miracle of love and healing. God was and is a very real presence in Diego’s life.

Faith and Worldliness November 28, 2015

Read Philippians 3:18-21

Romans 1:8      First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

Acts 28:22     But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect."

Romans 6:17     But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.

Romans 10:18     But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

Romans 16:19     Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

1 Corinthians 1:4     I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

In the first century, Rome was the most influential city in the world. While earthly wealth, wisdom, and abundant pleasures caused many believers to grow stagnant or to fall away from their faith, the Roman believers remained strong. Their faith was so strong that the world at large took notice. Paul wrote to them: “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.” What a testimony for future generations!

What would Paul say to me? Would he commend me, or would he see that I have put too much confidence in my worldly possessions? In our reading for today, Paul cautions us to focus on Christ’s desires for our lives and not on all the earthly pleasures that surround us. The treasure that is our faith in Christ should far outshine all the world has to offer.

Prepare the Way! November 27, 2015

Read Matthew 3:1-6

Matthew 3:3      This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"

Isaiah 40:3     A voice of one calling: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Mark 1:3     "a voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"

Luke 1:17     And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Luke 1:76     And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

John 1:23     John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'"

Spiders like to build webs outside our front door. They string their sticky strands from the roof on one side to the large rhododendron on the other, so there’s no way around them. Since I’m often the first to leave our home, I’m usually the one to clear away the spider webs. This prepares the way for my wife, who comes out after me.

This simple act reminds me of John the Baptist, who came before Jesus and prepared the way for him. But John’s preparing the way was spiritual rather than physical. He was commissioned to announce Jesus’ coming.

I’m no John the Baptist, so I won’t go around preaching “prepare the way for the Lord.” But I still want my life to honor Jesus and draw others to him. Whether we’re with family, neighbors or co-workers, we can reflect the image of Christ by our actions. Our love, kindness, and integrity may give us a chance to share the reason for our hope. (See 1 Pet. 3:15.) We may even reflect our faith with strangers we meet as we shop or travel. For example, when we hold open a door for someone and that person thanks us, we can smile and say, “You’re welcome. God bless you.”

Jesus has already come to the earth, but he promised to come again. (See John 14:3.) By reflecting him in everything we do, we can prepare the way for his second coming.

Finding God in Unexpected Places November 26,2015

Read 1 Kings 19:1-13

Zephaniah 3:17      The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."

Isaiah 62:4     No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married.

Isaiah 62:5     As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

Isaiah 63:1     Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save."

Hosea 14:4     "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.

Joel 2:21     Do not be afraid, land of Judah; be glad and rejoice. Surely the LORD has done great things!

Zephaniah 3:5     The LORD within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame.

Zephaniah 3:15     The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.

After spending five days caring for my father, I was not looking forward to going back to work. I had not slept well and had nothing to take for lunch. I parked my car in a distant parking lot and walked to the building. When I arrived, I saw a basket wrapped with a bow sitting on top of the refrigerator; my name was on the attached card, which I opened and read. A co-worker had written that although I was busy taking care of my dad, I should not forget to take care of myself. She had given me a gift basket of luxurious bath products and candy.

Her gift reminded me that God shows up in our lives in unexpected places. For example, when Queen Jezebel threatened Elijah, he fled into the wilderness. He ate a meal prepared by angels, then went into a cave and waited for God to come. God did not appear in the windstorm, the earthquake, or the fire, but in a gentle whisper that reassured Elijah of his worth and his calling. God showed up for me today in the words and the gift of a co-worker.

Don’t You Care? November 25, 2015

Read Mark 4:35-41

Mark 4:39      He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Psalm 89:9     You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.

Psalm 107:29     He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

Matthew 8:26     He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Mark 4:38     Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

Luke 4:35     "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

Luke 8:24     The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

While driving, I got a flat tire, and my son and I had to make an emergency stop. Immediately, the car behind me crashed into my car. We waited in shock as the police documented the accident. Two weeks later, someone stole my bag from my office after our worship service. Without the documents in that bag, I would no longer be able to serve in the church. I would have to go to my native town to have everything re-issued — a process that takes six months. “Why did these things happen?” I found myself asking God. “Don’t you care about what’s happening to me?”

My question echoed the question the disciples asked in today’s reading. Since the disciples were professional fishermen, we can assume that they did all they could to save the boat. But it was useless. So they called on Christ, who was sleeping next to them.

Two days after my bag was stolen, I received a phone call. “I’ve found your documents,” the caller said. “They were strewn on the ground, and the police had your phone number because of your car accident.” The joy I felt was indescribable. God does care about me. The Lord Jesus is powerful. He is always waiting for us to call out to him.

God Knows Me November 24, 2015

Read Psalm 139:1-4

Jeremiah 1:5      "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Luke 1:15     for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.

John 10:36     what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?

1 Corinthians 8:3     But whoever loves God is known by God.

Galatians 1:15     But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, was pleased

Psalm 139:15     My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

David B. Smith is a common name — so common that once I was not allowed to board a commercial flight because someone with my name was on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “No Fly” list. Fortunately, the birth date on my driver’s license showed that I was decades older than this person, and I was eventually allowed to board the airplane.

I used to feel that in a world with billions of people, God didn’t know me. I am not famous. Even in my hometown, I am not well known. But reading Psalm 139 helped me realize that God knows who I am. I don’t need to show my driver’s license to claim my identity with God. Our reading above describes God’s knowledge of my thoughts, actions, and words; while verse 13 of that same psalm depicts God’s involvement in forming me in my mother’s womb. In the text, I learn that God even has a plan for my life (v. 16).

When we are feeling insignificant or unimportant, we can stop and remember the words of Psalm 139. God considers us important enough to have been involved in our lives even before we were born.

Pray All Day November 23, 2015

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

1 Thessalonians 5:17      …Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.…

Ephesians 6:18     And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.

Luke 21:36      Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy …

Romans 12:12      Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

I recall the first time I read the verse in 1 Thessalonians that urges us to pray without ceasing. If I pray without ceasing, I thought, how will I have time to accomplish all the other tasks required of me during the day?

After thoughtful consideration, I realized how I could pray without ceasing.

I began to approach my daily tasks with a prayerful heart. I soon found that my work was more enjoyable when I turned it into an opportunity to commune with God. For example, during housecleaning I gave thanks for God’s order in my life. As I prepared meals, I prayed for those who would eat at my table and for those who do not have enough to eat. When weeding the garden, I imagined letting go of old hurts and prideful thoughts with each weed I pulled.

Each moment in our lives presents a chance for prayer. I want to take advantage of every opportunity.

Resurrection Faith November 22, 2015

Read Romans 8:35-39

Romans 8:38-39      For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23     For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 14:7     For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.

1 Corinthians 3:22     whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours,

1 Corinthians 15:24     Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

Ephesians 1:21     far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

1 Peter 3:22     who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

I could hear my son, Raham, sobbing in the next room. We were burying his grandfather Liberto that day. I couldn’t think of anything to say to ease his grief, perhaps because I was devastated myself. Dad had been suffering from major depression — hormonal imbalance, the doctor said. I could not accept that Dad had spent the last days of his life battling depression. He had devoted his life to working with indigenous tribes, sharing the gospel in word and deed. I could not help but ask, “Is this what faith gets you?”

Later as I embraced my son, I sensed God saying to me, “I know it seems your world has fallen out from under your feet. But in death as in life, your dad is mine. I hold him in my hand. I will never let him go, just as I have never let you go.”

At the funeral, I read these words: “Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restored our life. Christ will come again in glory. As in baptism Liberto put on Christ, so in Christ may Liberto be clothed with glory.” Joy welled up in my heart through my tears. I knew Dad was alive and well in the bosom of God. My faith had been restored.