Poet and humorist, Oliver Wendell Holmes is credited with saying, “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” However, you could say that because apostle Paul was so heavenly minded he was earthly good. He went out of his way to identify with those with whom he shared the Gospel. By God's grace, so can you and I.
Jesus came to reverse the effects of this world’s fall into sin. You and I, and the people we know and love, suffer in this life both spiritually and physically. So it’s no coincidence how we hear of Jesus’ proclamation of the good news so closely connected to His miracles of healing. But, since not everyone is healed in this life, is there a queue for the cure that Jesus came to bring?
Did you know until just recently scientists weren’t fully aware of how birds like eagles could soar so effortlessly in the sky? It’s true. A recent study notes the two things that are needed to glide along on the warm, rising thermal currents. Isaiah notes two things that, when you and I are weak, weary and worn out, enable us "soar on wings like eagles."
“Many are the woes of the wicked.” Really? This doesn’t seem to be our experience. Does it ever feel that it’s the opposite that’s true? So what was David talking about when he sang these words in Psalm 32 while reminding us of the incredible blessings of God's love?
Influencers. The teachers of the law had a lot of influence. They had a huge following. And they often quoted and name-dropped other celebrity scribes to make their point of what must be done to win God's favor. So, when Jesus came and taught at the synagogue in Capernaum, folks may have assumed that another famous influencer was in their midst. They were shocked and amazed when the discovered that what He had to say was much different. He has come to be our Savior.
It’s been said that “All publicity is good publicity.” If that was true, then why did Jesus tell the evil spirit in the man at the synagogue in Capernaum to "Be quiet"?
In Deuteronomy, the people knew that the end of Moses’ time was drawing near. For 40 years He carried God’s Word to the Israelites. But with his departure, the fear was that they would be no one to take his place. But Moses announced an astonishing promise from God that still brings us comfort to this very day.
Today is Groundhog Day! It's a fun tradition in the middle of winter. Some have even said that his possible forecast for an early Spring could "give a pandemic-stressed nation some hope." However, you and I have real source for hope that's ours all 365 days of the year.
Paul notes how easy it is for knowledge to leave us "puffed up." That’s what happens when knowledge is exercised apart from love. He uses the example in his day of how believers handled food that was sacrificed to idols. Perhaps this sounds strange. However, maybe it's not so difficult to imagine after all.
At first, it sounds ironic to hear in Mark record in the same sentence that after John was put in prison Jesus went about proclaiming the good news of God. John was the last of His kind, of prophets pointing to the Savior who was to come. However, John knew the wonderful good news that Jesus is the first of many.
In Psalm 113, the writer celebrates our God who shows mercy to the humble and lowly. And in verse seven, he uses what must have become a familiar and much beloved phrase from Hannah’s prayer back in 1 Samuel. God has lifted us from the ash heap.
Paul notes how the form of this present world is constantly changing. However, the apostle isn’t putting on his creaky old man voice as if to say, “You know kids, back in my day …” Instead, He points out how easy it is to become attached to those things in life that are transient, and sets our focus on the Kingdom of God the tremendous eternal blessings that have in Christ.
The words that Mark uses to describe how Andrew and Simon responded to Jesus' call to discipleship can only be described as an understatement. For the disciples, they didn’t tip-toe into it. They didn’t dabble in this “fishers of men” business here and there. Being a disciple of our Savior now defined them. And that's what it means for you and me as well.
When Jesus called Andrew and Simon He could have used a familiar phrase from a popular movie franchise and said, "Come with me if you want to live." However, what Jesus held out to the disciples was a lot more than merely a bleak summons to survival. Instead He called them to become His disciples, and His apostles, and you and I have been blessed with bright good news to be shared.
So you think that’s incredible? When most people hear of Jonah in the Old Testament, the first thing that comes to mind is an image of the prophet being in the belly of the fish for three days. But, now, if you think that’s something, consider what came next.
God hears both our thoughts and our words. Does that bring your comfort or concern? Hear David's prayer and why he describes this as a good thing.
Half-Duplexing. Have you heard that term? Chances are good that even if you’ve never heard of it, you have first hand knowledge of what it’s all about. Something similar to this was taking place back in Samuel’s day in the Old Testament. And, for good or for bad, it's a term that can easily be used to describe our own communication with God. What is absolutely amazing is that we have a loving God who wants to speak to us in mercy and love.
Does it ever feel as if God is a million miles away from the events that fill your days and the circumstances in your life? After all, Moses talked with God on the mountain. Our days seem to be filled with the more humdrum activities of life in the valley. It was a real wake-up call for Nathanael when He realized that was our Savior was much closer that he realized. And it's a useful reminder for you and me as well.
How does it make you feel when someone you have just met says, “I know you!” Does it bring you comfort or concern? Now, imagine how Nathanael must have felt as he walked up to meet Jesus and discovered his Savior already knew him.
Nathanael's response to Philip's invitation to meet Jesus sounds so easy to imagine that it almost makes you cringe. He almost blows off the invitation completely. It sounds familiar to what we might expect from a friend or family member with whom we want to introduce to our Savior. In fact, it may make us hesitate when sharing our faith. However, instead of debating with Nathanael, Andrew does something even more effective. He simply says, "Come and see."
“Follow me.” My father would use those words when we would go out to the tool shed in our backyard on a snowy, winter morning. And, if you were a small child who grew up in snow country, you know exactly what those words mean. Jesus used the phrase, “Follow Me,” repeatedly in the Gospels as He called His disciples. It's also a gracious innovation from our Savior for you and me.
One thing that has come out of the current pandemic is that we’ve all become proficient experts at washing our hands. Signs are up everywhere to remind us of this important part of our regular hygiene and many of them even include instructions and diagrams on how to do it. It’s also great way to remember, and make daily use, of your Baptism.
Do you know who baptized you? However, in reality, there’s real a distinction when it comes to who applied the water that day and who did the baptizing.
In 2 Corinthians the apostle has announced, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” God's gift to you in Your baptism assures you that this is more than a hyperbole.
If you’ve ever watched a baptism in church on a Sunday morning, it may not look like a big deal. Family and friends gather with together with the pastor at the font. Words are spoken. Water is poured on the individual. And then everyone sticks around for coffee, cake and family pictures. But a baptism so much more than a photo opp. And our good friend Paul wants us to know it.
How many t-shirts would you say that you own? Five, ten, twenty? Have you ever thought about layering them and wearing them all at the same time? Did you know that a gentleman set the record two years ago for the most t-shirts worn at one time? Now, you may be asking, "Why would anyone do that?" Then again, why did Jesus come to the Jordan to be baptized by John?
This week, we’ll take a closer look at the tremendous gift that God has given to us in our Baptism and the remarkable blessings that come with it. For parched souls searching for God’s mercy, here God has soaked us with His grace and love.
Where’s Jesus? That may have been among the most frequently asked questions of this past week. It set the scene for the situation that Luke described for us in the Gospel reading last Sunday and it seems especially fitting for these days in our nation that have followed.
Do you know how much you're carrying in your wallet or purse? What if it was a fortune? Would it be possible to forget it, lose sight of it, or perhaps not even realize that it's yours? In Ephesians, Paul wants you to be aware of the fact that by faith you carry with you each day something far more valuable.
Everything that Jesus came to accomplish on our behalf was restore the broken relationship with our heavenly Father that sin had severed. So, it’s understandable that the very first words of our Savior recorded in the Gospel, and spoken at the Temple, point to Jesus being about the Father’s business.
