All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living.  2 Timothy 3:16

Mornings on my way to work, I see two farmers carefully checking their fence that borders a busy road. They make sure the posts are secure and the wire is intact to keep their cattle safe from the dangers of the road and from wandering onto property that doesn’t belong to the ranchers. Their diligence is necessary, since many times I see cattle leaning over the wire trying to snatch a mouthful of grass or to satisfy their curiosity. Without that fence, the cattle would wander.

In many ways, God’s word is like that fence. The Bible tells me how to set safe boundaries in my life to keep me from the dangers of sinful actions and bad decisions. Whatever the day brings, God’s word offers me the answers I need for living that day. But, like the ranchers, I need to “check my fence” daily. Some days I don’t want to hear from God’s word because I’m “leaning on the wire” trying to go my own way. But daily Bible reading keeps my spiritual fence in good repair and helps me remain in God’s safe pasture.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the power, practicality, and truth of your word. Help us to be faithful in reading it and doing what is right as we seek to honor you in all things. Amen.

Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news.”  Luke 4:18

The season of Advent lays the foundation for the celebration of Christmas. Luke tells us in his Gospel (4:16-21) that Jesus proclaimed himself the fulfillment of the promise God made to restore the people. (See Isa. 61:1-4.) This is our hope. This is what we look forward to in the birth of the Christ Child. In the meantime, we enter into a time of expectation, a season pregnant with what is to come.  The scriptures show us how to receive again the Gift of Love that is to be born. The First Letter to the Thessalonians (5:16-24) tells a faithful community how to live expectantly: to rejoice and pray, to give thanks in everything, to cling to the good and reject evil. It is good counsel for us in Advent.  We have become a part of a sacred history, and we are called to live responsibly — faithful to the purposes of God. In Advent we have an opportunity to prepare to receive the Christ anew in our lives, refreshing and restoring our faith with ancient truth and future hope.

O God, make us ready to welcome, in the birth of the Christ Child, the hope and purposes of your vision. Amen.

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Matthew 6:34

IN my yard are several bird feeders that I try to keep full of seeds. Sometimes when I return from traveling or run out of feed, I notice that no birds come to check the feeders. Sometimes I worry and feel guilty that I have let the food run out. But as soon as I fill the feeders, within hours the usual assortment of birds finds its way back. I wonder who takes care of the birds when I cannot. In a similar way, when my church’s Boy Scout troop collects canned food for the hungry, I worry that as much as we give, it never seems to be enough. When I think about how many people go hungry or need to hear God’s word each day, the challenge seems overwhelming. There will always be more than we alone can do. What is the answer?

Christ tells us to put our faith in God. To be concerned is a call to action, but that does not mean a call to worry. Instead, we do what we can with what God puts at our disposal, and we trust God to take care of the rest. (See 1 Cor. 3:6-8.) We do our best and trust God for the rest.

Dear God, remind us to share what you give us with those in need and then to be still, waiting for your will to be done. Amen.

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor…  James 2:5-6

As we go through life, we can tend to look at things from a certain perspective. This is especially true when deciding on what and who are truly valuable.  Leaders are viewed as important; servants don’t matter. If someone is rich, we jump at the chance to assist them with the hope of impressing them. But if someone further down on the socioeconomic ladder is in need, we go out of our way to avoid them.  James tells us that we’ve got to turn that thinking upside down. Throughout the gospels, Jesus talks about an upside down kingdom. He says that if you want to be great in God’s kingdom, you have to be willing to become a servant. If you want to be strong, become weak. If you want to be first, be willing to be last. 

Do you jump at the chance to rub shoulders with the boss, yet neglect the opportunity to help a fellow coworker? Remember, when it comes to seeing things from God’s perspective, it’s not about the position of the person, but the position of your heart that enables you to think upside down.

Dear Lord, Help me to look at things upside down. Help me to realize that wealth, possessions and stuff have nothing to do with a person’s worth. And help me to treat everyone I meet equally, the way you do. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  1 Thessalonians 5:18

One day last week I awoke thinking of things I desired but didn’t have. My first impulse was to complain; then I decided to write down all the things I had to be thankful for. It wasn’t long until I had a list that filled several pages.  When I thought of the many blessings God has given me through Christ, joy rose in my heart. I could sense the presence of God with me. I no longer felt sorry for myself. The temptation to complain about my life had vanished. Tears of gratitude formed in my eyes as I reflected on all the wonderful things God has given me.  I am grateful that God desires a relationship with me and calls me a son. Through reading God’s word, I find many reasons to be thankful. When I focus on all the good things in my life, God’s great love for me becomes real. Now when I am tempted to complain, I get out my list and review all that I have to be thankful for. Then all other concerns are insignificant by comparison.

Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?  James 2:7

The word “Christian” dates back to the early days of the Church, after the gospel had begun to spread throughout the world. The ironic thing is that, originally, the term was meant as an insult toward those who were walking in the footsteps of Jesus.  In today’s culture, the term Christian is one that those who accept Christ as Savior have chosen for themselves. But like then, many Christians still face ridicule.  If you find yourself being slandered because of your beliefs or ridiculed because of your faith, don’t give up hope. And don’t allow it to keep you from reaching out the way God wants you to.   Instead, use the opportunity to show people what it truly means to be a Christian. Let your reaction be to show them God’s love. And pray for them in the name above all other names, Jesus Christ.

Dear God, I know that everyday there are people who slam your name. They use your name as a curse word or in a manner that insults the whole family of God. Help me to not react, causing them to justify their onslaught. Help me to instead pray for them to see the value of an eternal relationship with you. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

“Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.” Joshua 3:4a

Do you have a fear of the unknown? If so, then you know how nerve-racking it can be. Fearing the unknown can cause us to live on pins and needles as we spend precious energy anticipating the worst-case scenario. There are two problems with this type of fear: 

1.      The future is not here.

2.      The future is not ours. 

While the future may be out of our hands, it’s not out of the hands of an adequate and trustworthy God. When we face a worrisome unknown situation, we can look to Joshua as an example.  It’s recorded in the first chapter of Joshua that before Moses died, God passed the baton of leadership to Joshua. The Israelites had been wandering in the desert for 40 years under the guidance of Moses. Now, their journey was almost over. Just beyond the Jordan River was their promised land—the land that God had guaranteed to Abraham and his descendants.

Upon reaching the Jordan River, Joshua and the Israelites set up camp by the stream and awaited God’s direction. Much like their meeting with the Red Sea, God had to make a way for them to cross over the river. On the third day, God told the officers to instruct the people that when they saw the Ark of the Covenant (where God’s Presence abided) to follow it because they had “never passed this way before” (Joshua 3:4). In essence God was saying, Follow Me and I’ll see you through this unknown territory.

 That’s not all. The people were instructed on how closely they should follow the ark. Without this instruction, the people would have crowded the ark and God wanted every person to be able to see His presence ever faithfully leading them through the unknown valley. What greater encouragement could they have than this, that the Lord was their God, a God who was with them?

You see, friend, the Lord understands our fear of the unknown. He realizes that you may be in a situation that you’ve never passed through before and you’re afraid. It may be the first time you’ve been without employment. Maybe you’ve just been diagnosed with an illness or your child is in rebellion. You’ve never been down this road before and you don’t know which way to go or what to do. God will guide the way.  Joshua’s life was unpredictable and full of unknowns much like yours and mine. Yet, he successfully resisted fear by keeping his focus on God rather than the events surrounding him. Just as God guided the Israelites through unknown territory, He will guide you and me too. When we come to a place we’ve never passed through before, God is always present to help us.  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God,the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; (Isaiah 43:2,3b).

Even though the children of Israel were not told how they would pass over the river, the people went forth in faith. We too can move forward in faith sharing in the promised presence of God leading the way through our unknown circumstances. 

Dear Lord, thank You for Your promised presence. It comforts my heart to know that I am not alone. Lead me, Lord, through the unknown in my life. Make Your path clear and I will follow it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10

When I was young, my dad had a wool coat that I liked to wear. It was a little scratchy and way too big for me; but when I put it on, it was like being wrapped in his arms. Dad died years ago, and now the coat is mine. It’s much softer now; it also fits me better! Best of all, I still feel as if my dad’s arms wrap around me when I wear it.  That coat is a lot like my Christian walk. Along the way I have been asked to do things that didn’t seem to be the “right fit” but I did them anyway. Some were straightforward, simple tasks, such as learning to read the Bible. Others were more challenging, such as taking a mission trip or heading up a new ministry at church. Each such task seemed daunting when I was first asked to do it.  But God uses us in the way God needs us. I find that the more I journey into the tasks God has for me, the more comfortable I become with trying on new roles in serving the Lord.  When God speaks to us about doing some good work, we can go ahead and put on that sweater. It may be the perfect fit. And even if it is not, we may grow into it over time.

Lord, help us to answer your call to bring your light into the world in the ways you choose for us. Amen.

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in [Jesus] because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”  John 4:39

Sometimes I hesitate to talk about God with those around me. Feeling inadequate, I wonder how I can explain that Jesus is alive and loves us deeply. Arguing will not persuade them of the truth. Today’s reading showed me how one woman successfully shared the good news about Jesus.  Quite simply, the woman at the well could not hide her excitement. “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did,” she exclaimed, eager for others to get to know him, too. Instead of a clever argument, she enthusiastically described her meeting with the Savior, making him real to those who listened. Because of that woman’s testimony, many Samaritans in her town believed in Jesus.  So when I struggle to find the right words, I think of the Samaritan oman and remind myself that I can simply explain that God knows all about me — the good and the bad — and still loves and accepts me. Why would I make sharing the gospel more complicated than this? No amount of clever arguments will win hearts as much as will our communicating the joy of knowing God — and the joy of God’s knowing all about us and loving us anyway.

God of all knowledge, so fill us with joy that talking about you is easy and natural. Amen.

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.  I Samuel 16:7

Most people spend time each morning diligently preparing for the day. Our routines generally consist of picking out the right clothes, brushing our hair and teeth and then analyzing ourselves in front of a mirror. And some spend more time than others.  As well put together as we may be (or think we are) when we look in the mirror, our appearance adds nothing to our true value. The quality of our shoes won’t make a difference at all if we walk past someone in need. The price of our wallet doesn’t do a thing for our personal worth if we aren’t generous to others.  There’s a danger when we rely on our outward appearance to determine our worth, because it gives us a false sense of what God wants us to reflect to others. What we should do instead is realize that when people look to us, they need someone of true value, someone with a ready heart, someone who is willing to look to their needs and not just a reflection in the mirror.

Dear God, It can be so easy to rush through my morning routine without also preparing my heart. Instead of being consumed with how I look each day, help me to also have a heart for those in need and to look for ways I can add value to their day. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.