Together in Christ
Ephesians 2:11-22
New International Version
Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)—12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
It can be difficult for us in the 21st century to relate to these verses. Yet, the Ephesians were quite aware of the separation existing due to race and religion. But Jesus broke down barriers that had existed for generations, bringing joy and unity to all who believed. Some referred to elevating Gentiles as the mystery, but the true mystery was God sending His son to be the spotless sacrifice for sinners slain.
May we continue during our Lenten journey to reflect upon our personal walk with Jesus, trusting that God will enable us to do all He calls us to do.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
RECONCILIATION
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[a] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Today our Lenten study takes us to the city of Colosse, to defend and further explain salvation by faith and to root out any misconceptions that works can save us. There were two common problems facing these early Christians—the pagan influence of the Greek culture and the legalistic views of the Jews. Neither view allowed for the freedom found in Christ. Paul preached that nothing could be added to or taken away from the the gospel of Jesus Christ.
When we read and follow God’s Word a transformation takes place. Where once we lived in selfishness seeking our own desires, we now live for Christ. And perhaps when we make a practice of seeking God during these days preceding Easter, we will find this daily habit will become something we need.
May we be transformed through the renewing of our minds and hearts as we seek to live out our lives in accordance with the mind of Christ.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seek the Lord
Isaiah 55:6-9 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
One of the many benefits of this season leading into Easter is reflecting on the mercies of God and using this time to draw close to Him. We sometimes forget that there will be a time when our access to God is not easily available. But today, we are still able to meet Him in prayer, receiving His mercies which Lamentations 3:22-23 says:
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
May we spend our time wisely, drawing close to our God and sharing His love with others.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Master Builder
Psalms 127 WEB 1 Unless Yahweh builds the house,
they who build it labor in vain.
Unless Yahweh watches over the city,
the watchman guards it in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
to stay up late,
eating the bread of toil,
for he gives sleep to his loved ones.
3 Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh.
The fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man,
so are the children of youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
As we continue our Lenten journey toward the resurrection, let’s take a moment to reflect upon this blessing. We see immediately that God is intertwined in each part of our daily living, and if we try to do anything apart from Him, our efforts are futile.
Yet, we are sometimes guilty of getting so caught up in our own lives that we forget to include the Almighty God in our plans. When we seek God first, there is a calm that settles over us that cannot be duplicated.
We are currently in the throes of a developing war in the Middle East. Yet, we can begin each day knowing that our God is in ultimate control. The key to finding peace is spending time with the Prince of Peace every day.
May we purpose to meet God early each day, asking for wisdom and then following His direction.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Faith that leads to God
Psalm 121:1-8
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
The Lenten season provides us with so many opportunities to draw close to God and others. As we read prescribed scriptures there is a recognition that people all over the world are reading the same verses, and there is comfort in such community.
Psalm 121 is the second of fifteen psalms known as the “Songs of Ascents.” Called “Pilgrim Songs,” these psalms were sung on the way up to Jerusalem. When I read of these communal songs, I am reminded of the spirituals the slaves sang as they worked the fields. The workers sang these songs with no fear, with the words and the rhythm building as the song progressed. The meaning was often disguised as a longing for heaven’s shore, but as the people sang in unison, the work progressed more quickly.
“Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home…” was one of the first such songs I recall. The Old Testament story of Elijah was referred to in a rhythmic pattern that moved the work forward. Similarly, the Song of Ascents moved pilgrims closer to the Temple, building the travelers up in their most high faith.
May we, as we continue our Christian journey, be assured that our help does, indeed come from the Lord and may our faith build as we progress toward that heavenly city.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Seeking Holiness 