2 Timothy 4:7-8

Today is my dad's birthday. He finished his race eleven years ago this month. If he were still with us, he would be 99. The longer I live, the more appreciative I am for his life as a faithful husband, a kind father, a loyal brother, and a steady Christian. He kept the faith. As in the words of the Apostle Paul when approaching his end, Emmanuel John George fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. There is laid up for my dad the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to him on that Day, and not only to my dad, but also to all who have loved Christ's appearing.

Lord, help me focus my daily goals around simple convictions and behaviors: faithfulness to my wife, kindness to my children and grandchildren, responsive to the needs of those around me, and love for Christ's appearing, his gospel, and his kingdom. Until my departure, may David, the son of Emmanuel, be a man of God who is equipped for every good work. Amen

"It is not you who shapes God, but God who shapes you. You are the work of God, so await the hand of the Artist. Offer him your heart  -  soft and pliable. Let your clay be moist, lest you grow hard and lose the imprint of his fingers."
St. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon and Teacher of the Faith, died June 28, AD 202

Romans 15:13

 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

 

Christian hope is one of the themes of my personal spiritual formation in 2010. What is hope’s power and how is it unleashed in a person’s life? I began the year reflecting on 1 Peter 1:3  -  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to his great mercy he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” In embracing the gospel we have been re-born into an experience of living hope. And it is the resurrection of Jesus that enables us and motivates us toward vibrant hope no matter what is going on around us or in us.

 

Today I read another verse on hope, Romans 15:13. It underscores several important gospel realities: God (who is called the God of hope) is the one who fills us with joy and peace; this he does as we believe afresh in the gospel; the result of such belief is a kind of hope that abounds in our lives; and the Person who produces this hope is the Holy Spirit at work within us.

 

The main lesson for me is this: Actively believe the gospel no matter what is happening around me, to me or in me. In the moment of crisis, whatever is going on, I must review what the gospel actually is (notitia); then agree with its truth and relevance (assensus); finally entrust myself again to God’s grace and lordship in Christ (fiducia). Romans 15:13 tells us that God will fill us with his peace and his joy as we thus believe. And the result of this is abounding hope, uniquely produced by the Holy Spirit.

 

Lord, thank you that your abounding hope is assured to all who actively believe your gospel. You are the God of hope - for me and for the whole world. Because of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension, there is complete and full redemption. May I moment-by-moment pursue you for my delight. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art -  thou my best thought by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light. Help me catch myself when I believe the lie or pursue any other vision for my wholeness. You are my health, my wisdom, my true word, my great Father, my battle shield, my dignity, my soul’s shelter, my high tower, my power, my inheritance, and my treasure. May your joy and peace fill me as I believe, so that I may continually abound in hope. Amen

 
A Prayer on Ascension Day: Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen (The Book of Common Prayer)

Psalm 69:13

 

“But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD.” King David knew how to cry out to God. As a person “after God’s own heart” David found himself calling upon his God in good times and in bad. Prayer was a regular part of his walk. But especially when life seemed against him, he persistently presented his requests and laments before the Lord. Many of his psalms express this, and particularly Psalm 69.

 

Psalm 69 is unique in that it looks back and looks ahead in the flow of Biblical history to times of trial and fear in the lives of God’s people. Phrases like “Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies… Let not the flood sweep over me...” (vss 14-15) recall the exodus from Egypt when Israel crossed over on dry land fearing the Egyptian army chasing after them. They experienced God’s deliverance when in their fear “the people of Israel cried out to the LORD.” (Ex 14:10)

 

Psalm 69:4 seems to anticipate a later point in Biblical history when rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem was opposed during the days of Ezra and Nehemiah: “Many are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies.” (vs 4) For over 100 years their efforts to rebuild were interrupted time and again by those who hated them. As discouraging as their enemies were, this band of returning exiles trusted the Lord, looked to their leaders, and eventually completed the project. “Fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings to the LORD morning and evening.” (Ezra 3:3) In their distress they called upon the Lord. And God heard and answered their prayers over and over again during the 100 years of opposition.

 

In the life and trials of Jesus, Psalm 69 became the backdrop for his suffering and his trust in his Father: “Zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me” (vs 9); “I looked for pity, but there was none… for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.” (vss 20-21) Jesus continually poured out his heart to his Father in the midst of the most severe tribulation. And he counselled his disciples that in their times of trial they would need to rely on the Spirit through prayer. In this context Jesus quoted Psalm 69:4, “They hated me without a cause,” forewarning his disciples that they would face the same abuse. (John 15:20,25)

 

What is the lesson from Psalm 69? Life is full of challenges. Our best visions and hopes are often interrupted by unforeseen circumstances and conflicts, disagreements within the church, opposition from those who don’t believe, and personal inabilities and flaws. These are the things that discourage us and tempt us to give up. But the laments of King David, the prayers of Israel as they feared an army behind them, the trust of those who rebuilt the Temple in the midst of opposition, and ultimately Jesus himself instruct us to call upon the name of the Lord. Prayer is God’s primary means of leading us into renewal and hope. Make it primary in your life. “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD!”

 

Lord, remind me at this moment and through out my day that you are my God. I can turn to you with any fear, anxiety, sorrow, uncertainty, complexity, or sense of loss. Like your servants of old, may I draw on your power to replace discouragement by hope, and the grip of confusion by wisdom. Help me in my prayers to sincerely affirm the redemption of this world wrought through Jesus Christ. In this way give me a fresh vision of my role in the ultimate defeat of all evil and a fresh vision of your Glory finally revealed when all flesh shall see it together. May your Holy Spirit faithfully lead me to step into your presence this day through frequent prayers and immersion in the truth of your word. Shape me more and more by the gospel into the image of your Son. Amen

 

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom:  Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen

Genesis 50:20

 

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive.” With these words Joseph consoled his brothers that their lives and their future were secure in God’s hands. No matter what they had done, nor how evil their intentions might have been, God would bring about unexpected and unimaginable blessing.

 

Joseph had every reason to be angry at his older brothers. When they sold him to slave owners from Egypt, the brothers lied to their father about what they had done. For many years Joseph lived as a slave and prisoner in Egypt, away from his family and destitute. But during this time Joseph discovered that God could be trusted, no matter how bad it got, even when others could not be trusted. And he learned that when humans intend for evil, God can turn it around and bring about his good purpose.

 

When Joseph’s brothers eventually faced the reality that Joseph had been rescued by God and that their future was in Joseph’s hands, they feared that he would retaliate for all the evil they had done to him. However, Joseph knew that God could be trusted. And so he put his confidence in God rather than in resentment and retaliation. His faith and confidence in God’s providence enabled him to embrace God’s bigger picture of goodness.

 

Lord, help me this day to embrace your bigger picture of goodness. Deliver me from petty thinking, tunnel vision, and unworthy anxieties. You are God, and you are at work in this world  -  “on earth as it is in heaven.” Let me see the ways you are drawing people to yourself, the ways you are stirring up kingdom-minded men and women, and the ways you are bringing about renewal. “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.” Fill me with your Spirit so that the eyes of my heart will be opened to see the immeasurable greatness of your power and love, right here and right now. And may I live my life this day rooted and grounded in your love. Amen

 

From the Book of Common Prayer:  Almighty God, who in the place of Judas chose your faithful servant Matthias to be numbered among the Twelve: Grant that your Church, being delivered from false apostles, may always be guided and governed by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

 

Luke 22:39-46

 

“Pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Luke 22:40). One of Jesus’ frequent themes in instructing his disciples was their need to pray intentionally and consistently. Particularly in the face of any temptation to be unfaithful in thought or deed, prayer is the chief antidote. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” -  the fifth of six petitions in the Lord’s Prayer  -  establishes the importance Jesus placed on prayer in thwarting temptation to evil whenever it arises in our lives.

 

Jesus himself earnestly prayed in his own hour of temptation (vss 41-44). He withdrew by himself, he knelt down, and he prayed. Immediately he was strengthened. But his agony of soul continued, even intensified, so “he prayed more earnestly.” Jesus exemplified the power of prayer and exhorted his disciples to similarly pray. Whether we are alone and can pray on our knees (vs 41) or we find ourselves in the chaotic fray of life (rise and pray, vss 46-47), he counseled his disciples (then and now) to engage in prayer intentionally and consistently if we want to avoid succumbing to attitudes or behaviors which dishonor God, others and ourselves.

 

Lord, grant me grace to abide in you and talk to you about the specific temptations that are prone to overtake me this day. You are the vine, I am a branch. Whoever abides in you will bear much fruit. For apart from you I can do nothing. May I not be too busy to “withdraw, kneel, and pray.” And may I not be too distracted by life to “rise and pray.” Make me wise enough this day to see that abiding in you through prayer wraps me in the strength of the Lord. You are my living head. Your death, your resurrection, and your present intercession at the right hand of the Father are my life and hope. You have called me as your disciple to an inner journey of supernatural strength through prayer; and to an outer journey of supernatural love also through prayer. Your will for me is to experience the reality of your presence by “praying in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Eph 6:18). Thank you for the grace of prayer. Amen

 

From the Book of Common Prayer:  Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

The real answer is, "We don't know."

But there are four things that we do know.

1. We live in a fallen world with a broken order.
We live in an exquisite, beautiful world with an amazing order. Ordinarily, the general order of things is that when we work hard, things go well. But we also know that we live in a fallen world with a broken order. So sometimes, if we work hard, things do not go well. There are earthquakes, floods & hurricanes that do tremendous damage. So when things go awry we will feel a lot of pain but not necessarily shock.

When things go 'south', it drives us to the core of what makes us happy. If our core is money & power, we will be devastated. If our core is God, then that will drive us deeper into Him, and He will personally transform us to have the courage, wisdom & dignity to be what we really are: a child of God.

2. God does miraculous acts in the midst of terrible circumstances.
Have you heard some of the stories? Like the people who were in the supermarket when the earthquake struck and ended up being trapped inside in a small area which had food & drink for 6 days until they were rescued...or of the 20 girls in the orphanage that VSPC helped construct who all somehow escaped unharmed while their house was reduced to rubble...these people all declare that God miraculously rescued them.Try to convince them they were just 'lucky' - won't happen.

3. God is always with us in the midst of hardships, giving us strength & wisdom to bear through (and even be fruitful), even if the hardship does not turn out well. Plenty of testimonies: Joseph in prison, Bonhoeffer, John Stuntz, men & women who are enduring losses with amazing grace...probably you personally know people who can attest to this.

4. These things do not happen because some people are worse than others.
It is wrong to try to attribute blame to someone for catastrophes that have happened. No one can know such things without divine revelations, and chances are most high that if someone claims to have such, they are deluded. Our job as human beings, and as a follower of Jesus is to crawl over the entire earth and seek out people who are in need, and do something to help - and fast. Doesn't matter if the people are 'deserving' or not.

Food for thought
It is said that If we want to know what God is like, we should look at Jesus. So concerning this issue I always think about what Jesus did when he went to Lazarus' tomb. Why on earth did he weep in anguish at the tomb when he knew full well that Lazarus was gong to be alive in 10 minutes? I think it is because he can be 'both' 'and': feeling terrible about how bad things are at the moment (weeping in anguish) AND being able to rejoice in the rock-solid knowledge of how wonderful things will be in the future.

What that means to me is that in the moment, even though I do not understand God's timetable, I know that Jesus understands my sorrow about terrible things: I picture him weeping in anguish with me, caring that much. I also picture Him doing a thousand things beneath the surface - all for good - that I cannot see. That helps.

Written by Jayne George, Director of Kids Ministries. It is a compilation of thoughts from David George, Tim Keller, and a few others she has been reading.

 

Luke 11:33-35

 

“When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light.” With these words in Luke 11:34, Jesus teaches us something about how to live as children of light rather than children of darkness: how to maintain integrity in your daily life; how to protect your attitudes from the influence of evil, resentment and envy. “Your eye is the lamp of your body.” Jesus teaches his disciples (then and now) that the way we think about what we see – the perspective through which we view the world around us – directly affects our spiritual and moral health. Jesus seems to imply that his disciples have the potential to view the world around them with “healthy” eyes because of the supernatural light that is within them. By virtue of their relationship to him, they [we] are the “light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

 

What does this mean for me? For me this means that the way I choose to look at the people around me is either through the lens of the gospel or through my own prejudices, fears, brokenness or evil desires – whether my friends, my enemies, my wife, my family, the man next door, the woman down the street, my colleagues, my teammates, world leaders I naturally adore or deplore, or even nameless people I come across every day. As I look at them (or think about them) I must choose to see them as Jesus sees them, as people made in the image of God, people for whom he died, people whom God has called me to love. As I look at them, I must choose to believe the gospel, the gospel that tells me that I am new in Christ, that he is my redeemer and ultimate healer, that he is all I truly need, and that Jesus’ Spirit is within me enabling me to view them with new eyes (2 Corinthians 5:16-18).

 

Lord, I ask you to help me engage with people this week through the lens of the gospel. Remind me moment-by-moment that I am baptized and that I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. He guarantees the inheritance of life and hope that belongs to me through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Forgive me for letting my prejudices, fears, brokenness and evil desires become the lenses through which I see the people you have called me to love. Thank you that I have been supernaturally born again to this living hope by your Spirit. Enable me to live as a child of light, displacing the darkness of the world through the grace of the gospel. You are my hope and my life! Amen

 

From the Book of Common Prayer:  Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

1 Chronicles 11:41

The mention of Uriah the Hittite as one of King David's "30 mighty men" reminds me that unchecked sin in our lives destroys healthy relationships. Uriah was one of the men David could most trust. Along with his companions, Uriah had vowed to David, "We are yours, O David, and with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you..." (1 Chronicles 12:18) Because of their esteem for David, these men were willing to sacrifice their very lives so that David might be protected and provided for. They loved him and would do anything for him. And he loved them.

But when David allowed himself to drift from the LORD by his own idolatries and lust, he lost his ability to truly value these friends and trusted loyalties. Uriah was Bathsheba's husband. And David intentionally had him killed to cover his own sins with Bathsheba. God's call on David (and us) to be faithful to him  -  to not let any other gods rule our lives  -  is designed to protect our ability to value the people God has brought to bless us. When we resist temptation and actively allow his law and his love to work in us, we are protected from clouded judgment  -  the clouded judgment that would treat our most important relationships as cheap. 

O Lord, help me to daily recognize and root out my own idolatries so that I may properly appreciate and value the people you have placed in my life. Unwillingness to deal with counterfeit gods will keep me from loving well those you have gifted me with. May the grace of Jesus help me create space in my daily schedule to be renewed in your love and grace. In contrast to King David who covered his own misdeeds by sending his friend to his death, David's greater son Jesus covered our misdeeds by giving up his own life so that we might be redeemed. Thank you for him. Keep my heart stayed on Jesus' grace and love this day. I want my love for you and others to flourish in the fresh awareness of your love for me. You are a gracious Creator and kind Redeemer. I pray this not only for myself but also for Christ's church universal. Amen

1 Chronicles 4:9-10. The prayer of Jabez.

 

The prayer of Jabez, an otherwise unknown descendant of Judah, teaches us that God’s heart responds to our faithful prayers. From spiritual revivals early in human history (Genesis 4:26 - “people began to call upon the name of the LORD”) to praying individuals like Jabez and right on to us, God draws near to those who draw near to him. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8

 

Lord, may I seek to be honorable before you, like Jabez, by honoring you as first in my life this day. May I seek your blessing on my life so that I might bring your blessing into the lives of others this day. Enlarge my borders  -  grant me vision to use my gifts and talents with purpose, creativity, and intention. I pray that your will might be done in and through me this day. Let me rest under your hand as you lead me away from the influence of evil. And may I close my eyes this night rejoicing in your goodness, your faithfulness, your grace, your redemption through Christ, and your good law at work in my life. Amen.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Life is a series of “seasons”.

I’m seeing that just as we have seasons of climate change and varied agricultural patterns, so we have “seasons” in our personal lives. The Preacher of Ecclesiastes marks them by our “times” or experiences such as living and dying, weeping and laughing, and embracing and refraining from embracing. I recognize that as we adjust to these seasons in our lives we grow and mature.

Lord, help me in this New Year to learn each day some thing about the season I am presently in. May I welcome your work of grace in me in the midst of this particular season. And may I respond in worship, trusting your providence and good Spirit to lead me through it. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

Luke 1:15. John the Baptizer was filled with the Holy Spirit “from the womb.”

Lord, as he grew up, he grew into the Call you had on his life. Help me understand and welcome your Call in my life. Help me see beyond the formal Call of my career to the heart Call of influence in the name of Christ and for the sake of others. Let me be still enough  -  and observant enough  -  to discern your Call.

May I hear your Call as I read the Scriptures this year, as I perceive the needs of those around me, and as I recognize the uniqueness of my gifts. And may my obedience to your Call be a response of gratitude because of the gospel. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.