Speak Love
Prov 12 (NIV) 18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Sometimes when I hear a word that is so critical and does nothing but steal another’s joy, I wonder if the person speaking intends for their words to hurt. Are they trying to wound the other person? Are they even aware of the impact of their words?
But the scripture speaks to someone who is reckless and not deliberate, someone who does not mean to hurt another, and is likely unaware of the consequences of their actions. And I think possibly the best way to insure that I do not let my words hurt another Is to be intentional in speaking good, speaking encouragement, speaking the love of God.
May we breathe in God’s words each morning, so that we speak out God’s love the rest of the day.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jehovah Nissi, our Banner
Joshua 8 (NIV) 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Have you heard the phrase “swan song?” It is a final gesture one makes before the end—the final soliloquy in a play, the last action one takes, perhaps a good deed. It actually originates from the ancient belief that swans, whose songs are not known to be particularly melodic and sometimes silent altogether, sing a beautiful song while dying.
When I read this chapter in the Old Testament, I feel as though this is Moses’ swan song. He is telling the people that his part of this journey is over.
I love the way Moses steps out of the way and ushers Joshua in. From a human perspective I think of all Moses sacrificed to free the Israelites, to lead them through the wilderness for forty years—a disobedient, stubborn people who complained incessantly and returned to their idols whenever Moses was not in their presence.
And then I realize I probably identify more with the Israelites than with Moses. I hope if I had been in his place, and God allowed me only a glimpse of the Promised Land, I could have departed with the same spirit as Moses, but I fear God would have heard a lot of complaining. “But, YHWH, don’t you remember all that I did, what about that time…?” Or, God forbid, “I deserve to go.”
But, Moses, knowing the battles that faced God’s chosen, tells them and Joshua to be strong, reminding them that God would go before them. Jehovah Nissi, God their banner, would go ahead of them, and as long as they proceeded under the banner of God, victory would be theirs.
Even Christ followers can step away from God’s banner. We marry the wrong spouse, and suffer a lifetime because we believed surely God brought us together; we take the wrong job, and perhaps a series of jobs, but years later realize God was not in those decisions either.
May we, at whatever stage we are in, recognize it is never too late to come under God’s banner. Will there still be consequences from not waiting on God? Yes—bad choices produce bad results. But take courage, child of God, the battle is not over and the victory will be yours.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Here Am I
1 Samuel 3:1-9 (ESV)
The Lord Calls Samuel
1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.
6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
We all have words we love to hear. Who doesn’t want to hear the words I love you, or I’m so glad you’re my friend. Have you ever wondered about the sweetest words God ever hears? I suggest to you they are not I love you, nor I praise you, nor even have mercy on me. Instead, I believe the sweetest words God ever hears are, Here am I.
When we look at the stories in the Bible that give us strength and hope, the common thread is that when God calls people to help complete his work on this earth, He doesn’t seek the best or the strongest or the youngest, but the willing.
Samuel had been living with Eli for probably 8 years by now, and it is important that we are told “And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. “
Not only had Samuel never heard the voice of God, but it would seem God was no longer speaking to Eli. So, when Samuel first heard his name being called of course he thought it was Eli. But when Samuel realized it was God’s voice, he didn’t come up with a list of excuses as to why he couldn’t serve, he didn’t hide, instead his response was “here am
I. “
Today God’s call is still upon each of us. We have the benefit of having the Holy Spirit living within us and we have the completed word of God. We are each called to share Jesus with the world.
You’re probably thinking, oh preacher, don’t tell us you want us to go knocking on doors to invite people to church.” No, in fact I’m fairly certain that no longer works.
Before I left Asbury for my ministry, there were a couple of times when we went out for a few hours and hung door hangers that had info about our church and an invitation to come and visit. I wrote my name and phone number on the ones I gave out. There were about 200 each time I went out, but no one ever contacted me.
I think the more effective means of sharing Jesus is what used to be called lifestyle evangelism. Wherever we find ourselves during the day, we engage people in conversation. How are you, how’s your day going? You’d be surprised how people respond when they realize you really care about them.
If you want to be used of God to share Jesus with others, simply start your day by agreeing with God that this day you will do no harm, you will do good and you will stay in love with God. Ask God to send someone across your path to whom you can minister, and then get ready. You will begin to meet people who are hungry for human interaction. Whatever you say and do, do it in the joy of the
Lord and that just might be enough to give someone hope.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God of All Comfort
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (ESV)3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
There was a little girl whose neighborhood friend died. The little girl went to her friend’s house and when she returned home the mother asked where she had been. The little girl told her mother she had gone to comfort the mother of her friend. Her mother asked what she did to make the family feel better. The child answered that she crawled up in her friend’s mother’s lap and they just cried together.
Comfort. What do you think of when you hear the word comfort? Sometimes we think of the food we had we when we were children, especially when we were sick. Chicken noodle soup, Hawaiian Punch, applesauce and graham crackers. Sometimes it is snuggling under a soft blanket. Regardless of how we define comfort, we all want it.
In today’s scripture, Paul not only speaks comfort to the Corinthians, but he tells them that the pain and suffering they are enduring can achieve a higher purpose. For, as God comforts them, they will be able to comfort others.
Do you recall the Roman view of success? The Romans believed if you were successful it was because the gods were smiling upon you. Likewise if you were suffering it was because you had angered the gods.
Paul constantly fought against this type of wrong thinking. Jesus said in Matt 5:45 that the sun shines on the good and the evil and the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Earlier Jesus said blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted. So, a right understanding of the way we receive comfort from God and bring comfort to others is kingdom thinking.
Had you ever thought of comfort in this light? A few years ago there was a movie called pay it forward. A little boy began this movement to pay forward any good deeds to another person and that person would do the same and it would just keep going.
Today’s scripture is like a pay it forward scripture. To those of us who may have ever been tempted to ask “why me” when something bad happens, we are reminded that when bad things happen to us, God comforts us and we can then comfort others in the same way,
As a pastor I am often asked questions for which I have no good answer. The older person asks why am I still here? The wife of a young man killed in an ATV accident asks is it too late for him to be saved? When my 36 year old nephew died from a heart attack I asked why him? I’ve lived my life. Why couldn’t you take me instead?
The mysteries of this life are just that, mysteries. When something bad happens, well meaning people will often say it is all God’s will, but I need to remind you that God’s creation began in the Garden of Eden. Everything was perfect. It is not God’s will that we suffer. It is not God’s will that we have to say goodbye too soon to a loved one. But sin brought sickness and death, and until Jesus returns to restore the world God created, there will be suffering.
(NRSV) Rev. 21; 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”
I pray that you would be at peace today and everyday, knowing that whatever happens in your life, you can receive comfort that comes only from a personal relationship with Jesus.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking an understanding
Prov (NIV) 2:1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding —
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
The second verse, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—I have one ear from which I hear better than the other. I will be on the phone with my sister and say, “Wait, let me switch to my good ear,” to which she always replies, “Carol, you don’t have a good ear.”
Today’s reading calls for me to turn my good ear to wisdom, to search for it and then store it in my heart. Wisdom is more than knowledge. Wisdom is having an insight, an understanding into Who God is and Who we are in Him.
I think I know Who God is, and after all of these years I know who I am in Him—I am a child of the One, True and Living God, a child of the King. I was made in His image, and my desire is to walk with Him all the days of my life, to love Him more, and to see others through His eyes.
May you and I walk together as we seek out God’s understanding as though it were treasure, receiving His promises that He will protect the ways of His faithful ones.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking Holiness 