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Keeping our FOCUS
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"I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land." Ezekiel 37:14
How are you at telling stories? How are you at listening to stories? Where are you when you think of stories? Have you ever sat around a campfire and told stories or heard stories? Did they include "ghost" stories? Did you believe an of the stories - even the ones you told? My family, going clear back to the clan in Scotland, are story tellers. We share the stories, and the history, we know. The readings, today, are about people hearing, seeing and knowing the Spirit of God in us. Ezekiel is reminding the people, for all time, how God has given us His Spirit. (37:14) Romans is reminding us others will see and know the "Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you." (8:11) The Gospel reading is Jesus reminding all of us how God's Spirit guides us even when we answer like Mary and Martha. The question is...do we believe? Are we telling the story of when, where, and how we have seen God? Can we share our testimonies of God's love and strength? Something to think about......
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"We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy." (Colossians 1:11 NLT)
All through Lent we have been talking about, in our Lenten study, the "power of the Holy Spirit" in each of us. With all the winter weather, changing road conditions, busy schedules and trying to "catch up" when the winter weather delays, postpones or cancels something it is VERY easy to get so tired we forget to rely on God's strength. God's "glorious power" does give us "endurance" (just maybe not the patience) to continue every day AND to encourage others. Something to think about..... Dear God, please fill us to overflowing with your glorious power. Help us to keep moving forward in the care of our loved ones. Help us to continue to encourage others. We pray in the name of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen "He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?" (John 9:27)
When you think about "power" what do you think of? The 'horse power' of your car or truck? What kind of machine you are going to need to move this most recent snow? How strong the earthquake was in Ecuador? How much strength you need to get from point A to point B? What about the "power" of the Holy Spirit in each, and all, of us? A number of us have been reading the book "Dynamite Power" during this Lenten season. It is a book about changing our prayer lives to remember the "Dynamite" power of the Holy Spirit. How often are you talking about it? Is anyone listening? Are YOU listening? The power, the strength, of God is what today's readings are reminding us of. Samuel is anointing David to be king of Israel "and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David." (1 Samuel 16:13 emphasis mine) Paul is reminding all of us of how we "are light in the Lord." (Ephesians 5:8) I must admit.... I really like the response of the young man in the Gospel reading. The Pharisees have called the young man back, a second time, to question the healing. He responds "I have told you already and you did not listen." How often do we feel that way? "I've told you but you didn't listen." How often have we said it? How often have we heard it? This has been an interesting Lenten, end of winter (maybe) season, with everything from winter storms to various people struggling through illness. As Caregivers are we talking about where, how, when we have felt God's POWER with us - getting us from point A to point B? Is anyone listening? Are YOU listening? "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage." (Psalm 84:5)
We are getting more snow, where I live AND, from what I see on the news, in CA. Where I am it is difficult to get out of the driveway let alone think of a "pilgrimage." Where would we go? How would we get there? Leaving the snow, and the cold, sounds like a good idea but the accomplishment is another story. At the same time it is Lent and many of us are trying to follow where God is leading, do what God is asking and, when possible, share how we have felt God with us. This can also be a pilgrimage - especially if we aren't used to sharing how we KNOW God is with us. Thankfully we ARE blessed because we DO have God's strength. God's gifts of God's Son, and the Holy Spirit, do FILL us - giving us strength "for the pilgrimage." Even if the "pilgrimage" is only as far as our desk to study God's Word. Thank you, God, for Your strength even when we are trying something new. Thank you for your strength even as we struggle with snow and winter weather. Thank you for your strength even when......... Amen 16 "Now may our Lord Jesus Christs Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word." (2 Thessalonians 2:16 & 17)
Paul is writing to the people of Thessalonica but also to us. A prayer reminding us of God's love and comfort by grace - a free gift from God. The rest of the prayer is for comfort but also to strengthen our hearts in every good work and word. An awesome reminder of God's strength in all we do and say. These people were believing false teachers. They thought the Lord was returning "now." Paul is encouraging them as they waited. We are still waiting, have very busy schedules and, in many ways, are still being persecuted. It can be hard to talk about, let alone live, our faith. These words of encouragement help us to both remember and focus - remember God's love and focus on keeping our relationship, with God strong. How do you keep the relationship strong? Where do you get the words of encouragement? Who can you encourage? "I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him." (Ephesians 1:19a NLT)
Talking with friends, and family, is something we do pretty much every day. How often do we talk to, with and listen to God? I saw an interesting post, recently, about how God had invented the first cell phone........ Prayer. How often are we actually praying? We pray on Sundays in worship, at other worship services and (maybe) we say a prayer at meal times. Some of us have special God "times" when we make sure to be in God's Word and are in prayer. How often do we really stop to talk to, be with and listen for what God is saying to us? The Scripture readings today are about listening to, and following, what God is saying to each of us. The Old Testament reading is in Genesis 12 where God is sending Abram "to the land I will show you." (12:1) So, at 75, "Abram went, as the Lord had told him." Paul is pointing out, in the Ephesians reading, about the power of God in EACH (and all) of us if we pay attention. The same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead." (Ephesians 1:19b-20a NLT) The Gospel reading (John 3) is Jesus answering Nicodemus' questions about believing and following where God is leading. The strong relationship with God through Jesus Christ. How often are we listening and following? How often are we talking to God? Prayer! We are ALL called to prayer!! Emmanuel - God WITH us - as we feel not just His presence but also His strength. Something to think about...... "Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." (Matthew 4:11)
I say "get ready" and I can hear you..."for what"? Are we getting ready for another snow storm? Are we (finally!) getting ready for spring? Sometimes the interesting, and possibly surprising, thing we are getting ready for is something....... wait for it........ new. Sometimes, like a new baby, a wedding or graduation we know in advance and can prepare. Sometimes..... we need to be closer to God, listening for what God is asking us to do. "The secret things belong to the Lord our God. The revealed things belong to us and to our children forever; to keep all the words of this covenant." (Deuteronomy 29:29) The readings, this morning are starting us into Lent. The Genesis reading is God telling Adam and Eve not to eat of a certain tree. (Genesis 2:15--17) The reading, in Romans, is Paul explaining one person, breaking God's law, is redeemed by Jesus (one man) saving each of us from our sins. (Romans 5:18-19) And the reading in Matthew is telling us the ending of the 40 days of Jesus being in the wilderness with the angels coming to "attend" him. (Matthew 4:11) The reading, from Deuteronomy above, comes from my God time this morning but fit so well I wanted to include it. During this Lenten season I want to challenge you to go deeper into your relationship with God. I especially want to challenge you to add PRAYER to what ever Lenten discipline you choose for these 40 days. "40 bags out" pray about what goes into the bag AND what happens to the bag. "Fasting" from food, technology, TV... be in prayer - talking to God, strengthening your relationship with God. Rereading, or reading for the first time "Draw the Circle" and (maybe) the workbook.... follow the directions and pray for revival INSIDE the circle surrounding you. Reading "Dynamite"... don't "just" skim through it - read it, listening and following where God is leading. Then...... TALK ABOUT IT. TELL someone where, when and how you think God is leading you. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13 NASB)
With this crazy weather have you been wondering about helping others? Even if the help is "only" bringing something home from the store for them? Maybe you have a snow blower and can help clear a driveway. Maybe you can just "listen" for a few minutes and let them talk. Paul is writing this, and in the first part of this reading, is talking about "how to get along" with little or plenty. (v. 12) He is speaking about what is happening in all circumstances. God with us - Emmanuel. At the same time we think of circumstances of taking care of a loved one. Now we are taking care of more than just ourselves. Now we have busy schedules, jobs, and the other persons needs. Added to this can be doctor appointments and other physical needs. Also added in, at this time of year, is "winter weather." Do we still feel we can do all things? We need to make sure our focus is on Christ. We need to keep the relationship - our relationship - with Christ strong so we can agree with Paul. We need to help each other with these things. O Lord, be with us. Help us to feel your presence and strength. Help us to help others. Amen "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)
We are told the longest journey begins with one step. We are told to "try" something. We are told to "step out in faith." The question is how often do we choose to do it and how often is the choice made for us. If I am honest it doesn't matter if I made the choice, or if someone else made it for me, the roller coaster of schedules feels like there is more going up than sliding down. It feels not only difficult but scary. This is when we need to remember God IS with us. This is when we need to seek others to talk to and ask for prayer. This is when we might actually have to not only think about, but actually DO the new thing. As we strengthen our relationship with God, by being in God's Word, we can find the verses to meditate on to give us the strength to 'step out.' We can take the one step. Which verses, in Scripture, do you go to? Who can you talk to? Who can you ask to be praying for you? "We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain." (2 Peter 1:18)
What do you think of when I say mountain top? Sitting on the top of a hill, or even a mountain, and looking out over the view? Being at the top of one of the high office buildings looking out over the city, or down at the people walking and driving below you? Do you remember the Emmaus Walk you were on? Some other special retreat and how close you felt to God? Or, maybe, it was seeing how God has brought something together - a "God thing"? Who did you tell about it? The readings, today, are about actual "mountain top" experiences. Moses is up on the mountain, with God, when a "cloud covered it and the glory of the Lord settled on Mt. Sinai." (Exodus 24:15) Peter is telling about his experience of being on a mountain with Jesus "We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven." (2 Peter 18) Matthew is writing about the experience of Peter, James and John as they are with Jesus. Matthew is also telling about the voice coming from heaven "This is my Son, whom I love." (Matthew 17:5) So...... what "mountain top" do you think of? There have been several quilts, and quilt tops, coming together recently -- "a God thing" -- that I can definitely celebrate and talk about. I can celebrate times, in nature, watching whales, seeing choral while snorkeling and encountering a sea turtle. I encourage Emmaus Walks because of the encounters I have felt, seen and know of because of the Walk. I am quite happy to talk about them.... Who do you tell about your "mountain top"? Something to think about...... |
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March 2023
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