MAY 5, 2022

  "Are you capable of forgiving and accepting in love a world which has disappointed you by not being perfect, a world in which there is so much unfairness and cruelty, disease and crime, earthquake and accident? Can you forgive its imperfections and love it because it is capable of containing great beauty and goodness, and because it is the only world we have?...And if you can do these things, will you be able to recognize that the ability to forgive and the ability to love are the weapons God has given us to enable us to live fully, bravely and meaningfully in this less-than-perfect world?” 

― Harold S. Kushner, When Bad Things Happen to Good People

1 KINGS 10-11

1King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 3He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. 4As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. 6So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done.(11:1-6)

LUKE 24:1-35

1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8Then they remembered his words.

9When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

JOURNAL 

Everything matters. Solomon has immense wealth, peace, the favor of God and he still seeks the favor of forbidden women and succumbs to worshiping their Gods.  Solomon has everything he could ever want and it still is not enough. It was the same with David...although David did not worship other God's his pursuit of a forbidden relationship caused him unnecessary suffering and the death of one of his mighty men. Every human on this planet in one way or another can relate. Maybe we don't worship a foreign God or have an affair that ends in murder...but I know in my own heart and mind I drift away from the promise and the beauty of God. I find my mind wandering and thinking about what circumstance or situation would make me happier and more fulfilled or how could things be easier or when I withhold my best out of rebellion and laziness...and there it is I'm in  the same mindset as Solomon. 

So where then does that leave us...Right where we must be....broken and searching for a savior. Here then is the miracle of the resurrection. For although all is lost in human terms...it is glorious and righteous in spiritual reality. God is not bound by our laws and our weakness. God gives life where it no longer exists, God turns a perceived failure into the greatest moment in human history. How foolish is it to rely on human success, human opinions, human wisdom. I believe this is why Paul cries out in absolute frustration in Romans...

21So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:21-25)

That's the miracle...he has made a way that is not dependent upon my own success or failure. He has provided a path with the only requirement that I accept and follow. It's not a token get out of jail free card, it is far greater, it is truly deepest desire of my heart.

4Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.^a 5Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

DEUTERONOMY 6:4-

MAY 4, 2022

 “Yeah. Beethoven was deaf. Helen Keller was blind. I think Rocky's got a good chance.”

-Adrian, 'Rocky'

1 KINGS 8-9

54When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. 55He stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying:56“Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. 57May the Lordour God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. 58May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. 59And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, 60so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. 61And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”(8:54-61)

LUKE 23:39-56

44It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”^e When he had said this, he breathed his last.

47The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

JOURNAL 

In human terms this whole scene is a complete sad disaster. Jesus appears to have failed. The King of the Jews...the messiah...the Son of God...has just been executed as a criminal. He has been abandoned by those closest to him who are weeping and hiding in fear. Those closest to him stand watching from a distance. This is horrible, this is God's rescue plan and it has ended horribly...how is this the path and the plan of God? How is this good?? There is so much left to do...so many sick that need to be healed...so many persecuted wrongly. So many who are in power whose hearts are evil and wicked. Why has God seemingly abandoned Jesus and all the new believers?

Because earthly failure is often the fertile ground of God's greatest works. Moses, Joseph, Paul, Peter, Job, David...all these were counted out and deemed lost causes at one point in their life...it's the ultimate beauty and message of the Bible. What man deems lost and worthless God sees as having infinite value. What man sees as impossible God sees as perfect timing. 

It is why we are not equipped to judge correctly. We can't see the future, we can't see the depths of a man's heart and soul, we can't even know fully the depths of our own. It's God's grace that compels us to trust him, rather than ourselves, society, another man etc. It's God's grace and wisdom through his word that gives us the strength and power to push through adversity, tough times and even success. It compels us to focus on today and his provisions. It compels us to trust that tomorrow will work out in ways that will grow the kingdom, that right will prevail. We are not alone and this world never has the final verdict on the future. Yet we have a part to play...we must trust God for tomorrow and rest in the grace and gift of today. 

31But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

MARK 10:31

MAY 3, 2022

  “We often miss opportunity because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work” 

― Thomas A. Edison

1 KINGS 6-7

51When all the work King Solomon had done for the temple of the Lord was finished, he brought in the things his father David had dedicated—the silver and gold and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple.(7:51)

LUKE 23:27-38

32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”^c And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

38There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS

JOURNAL 

Jesus' life is the complete opposite of selfish. His life was lived in complete love and service to God and others. Every single day I face the temptation to move backwards...back to the comfort of regress. The greatest enemy in my life is laziness and the temptation to shrink back from problems and progress. To me...all sin is rooted in this tendency to pull back from challenges and problems. To try and find ways around the struggles of honesty, love and work.  

Jesus' life and death put me face to face with my own darkness. It forces me to confront my own selfishness and sin. Yet this confrontation is not intended to shame me but rather to free me.  He promises that I can receive his spirit of power, love and self-discipline. He promises that I no longer need to wallow in shame and despair but rather can experience joy and triumph. 

That also means that joy is found in the everyday and the ordinary. I don't have to wait for vacation or hitting the lottery or some grand event in order to experience full life and joy. Joy can be found right here, right now. That's the beauty and power of the gospel.

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

COLOSSIANS 3:22-24

MAY 2, 2022

 “Our story is not only about exile and oppression and suffering. It is the story of thriving, of triumph, and of great faith. It is the story of a people that laughs in the face of deepest despair, that stubbornly clings to life and to joy even in the face of horror and death. We take our pain and turn it into poetry. We take our misfortune and transform it into opportunity.” 

― Daniella Levy

1 KINGS 3-5

7“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”10The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.(3:7-15)

LUKE 23:1-26

13Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” [17]^a

18But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19(Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

23But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

JOURNAL 

Jesus is sentenced to die. Pilate tries to find every way possible to let him go but ultimately the power of public opinion moves him to the ultimate conclusion. It is interesting to juxtapose this scene with that of Solomon and his dream. Solomon is asked by God what he would like for God to give him and Solomon asks for wisdom. Intuitively he knows that to lead a mass of people is an impossible task. In granting him wisdom God gave him the power of wealth and position as well. These gifts ensured that Solomon would be extremely powerful. 

How often in my own life am I more moved by the power of public opinion or the imagined future and fear of it than I am with the wisdom of God? Unfortunately it happens...and this is why it is imperative that I spend time reading scripture and in prayer. The power of the world is far to much to overcome with my own power. I need God's wisdom, direction and instruction.

But with it...there is nothing that I cannot face or overcome. God's spirit moves me to overcome any circumstance, any fate, any success. Life then is an opportunity to overcome trials, adversity, opposition. Every day is a new canvas waiting for my brush strokes...what will I paint, what will I create...will I surrender to public opinion, fear of the future or will I surrender to God and seek him in all circumstances, in all problems and in all blessings? 

 26To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.

ECCLESIATES 2:26

MAY 1, 2022

  “Gratitude looks to the Past and love to the Present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead.” 

― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

1 KINGS 1-2

9Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, 10but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon.

11Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it?(1:9-11)...

2“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go" (2:2-3)

LUKE 22:54-71

54Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

57But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

58A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

59About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

60Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62And he went outside and wept bitterly.

JOURNAL 

Often living in the moment is a terrifying ordeal. Reading this morning I really was compelled to think about both of these situations and the doubt, fear and worry that must have gripped Bathsheba, Nathan, Solomon and Peter. Their future looked completely in doubt. A betting man would have put the odds that this was the end of the road for them. All looked dark and dreary. This is why Peter denies Jesus...he was gripped by fear and all looked lost. 

This is the challenge of living in the moment. Often the present moment is scary. Often it doesn't seem to match the desires of our heart. It is in these moments that we can take comfort that God is always up to something good. We may be in the midst of hell on earth and it may seem dark and scary, but God is still up to something good. 

Trusting that and finding the joy in the present is the challenge and the essence of faith. I must remember and take hold of the truth that God is in today. He is no longer in the past, nor is he in the future. He is here now in the present. Therefore it is here that I find courage, joy, hope, peace and love. 

31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
MATTHEW 6:31-3