Heart Alignment

 

John 1 

Where do we begin?
Every story has a beginning, and the manner in which John begins the narrative of Jesus’ life is captivating to me, especially in light of the other Gospels. Matthew and Luke begin with Jesus’ earthly lineages. Mark begins his account with John preparing the way for Jesus. But John – John begins his story with a 14-verse poem that echoes the creation narrative and traces Jesus’ divine lineage to the very beginning of all things.

In the beginning was the Word… It’s not simply a “word” strung together with a few letters or syllables, but it’s the Word – the logos, the reason, the plan, the cause, the declaration. The Word is the divine pulse of the universe. It is life. It is the light of all light. It is that which darkness cannot overcome. And the Word became flesh. How’s that for a birth story?

Whereas Matthew and Luke tell of Jesus’ more relatable humanity in their opening lines, John’s account of His divinity has been almost mind-blowing to me as I’ve sat and dwelled on it for a while. It’s difficult for me to put in words, but it’s as if everything that is beautiful, and pure, and holy, and radiant, and light, and life-giving, and… love, is wrapped up in and radiates the Word.

Until recently, I rarely caught a glimpse of the full magnitude and gravity of Jesus’ divinity, and I’m sure I still don’t fully comprehend it now. But even the smallest notion of the fullness of His divinity paints His life, death, and resurrection in an entirely different and brighter light.

Have you ever thought about it, I mean, really thought about it? Have you ever tried to wrap your mind around pure unadulterated love? Around the fact that darkness can never overcome light? Around everything that is good and holy and sacred in this world? Around the essence of life itself and everything that is life-giving? Around the actual logos of creation?

When I dwell on Jesus’ divinity, choosing to follow him becomes much more than a prayer, and much deeper than a ceremony or ritual. It becomes a matter of aligning my heart and my life with He who is everything good and holy, at the expense of all else.

He is the reason. He is life. He is the light. And yet it’s still a daily struggle to abandon all and follow Him. ~ Jeremy Helmer

 

Today’s Bible Journal is written by one of my good friends and brothers in Christ Jeremey Helmer.  God Is Good!  He is Life! He is our Light! Amen

The Gospel of John

 

Ephesus, Feb 2016

Good morning Monday readers! How did I get so lucky to get to introduce not one but two of our gospel authors this year? I’m very excited for all of us to dive into John’s words in this Easter season. God’s timing couldn’t be more perfect for us! The apostle John wrote his Gospel around 85 AD after the destruction of Jerusalem and before his exile to the island of Patmos. John’s Gospels are different from the three previous synoptic Gospels in that over 90 percent of its material is unique. Rather than focusing on miracles, parables and the public words of Jesus, the Gospel of John emphasizes the identity of Jesus as the Son of God. Research suggests that the most likely place of writing was Ephesus.

John’s main purpose in writing his gospel is to prove Jesus’ true identity as the Son of God. In fact, he reveals Jesus’ deity to us in the very first verse:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…” John 1:1

 How many times have you breezed over those words in your reading? I know I have! John gives us the plot line to one of the best true stories ever told in verse one! Together with the Gospel of Matthew, John provides what I think is the most compelling proof of Jesus as the messiah. I’m not afraid to admit that there have been times in my journey with Christ that I have doubted power of Jesus. The Gospel of John is an opportunity for us as Christ followers to truly walk with Him and see the Messiah that John knew. Chapter 2 reveals the seven messianic signs beginning with the wedding at Cana. In Chapter 6 we hear his first of seven “I am” phrases:

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and who believes in my shall not thirst.” John 6:35

 John goes on to reveal Jesus through six more powerful “I am” statements throughout his Gospel:

“I am the light of the world”

“I am the door of the sheep”

“I am the good shepherd”

“I am the resurrection and the life”

“I am the way, the truth, the life”

“I am the true vine”

 Of course what comes at the end of this beautiful and powerful writing is the death and resurrection of Jesus. I invite you go deep in your study of this last Gospel. I know that we will all find evidence of our Savior there. Perhaps more than any other writing about Jesus, it will be painful. When we allow ourselves to calm the voices of this world in order to enter His, we’ll see Jesus for the man and Messiah he truly is. We’ll see and hear his closest disciples betray him. We’ll have the opportunity to see ourselves as disciples and understand how we betray him with our everyday sins. We’ll also have the opportunity for redemption in Him.

May you be blessed by this season of quiet, intentional study of the Gospel of John.

 

 

 

 

Remember

Take a minute to re-read Luke 24:13-35, paying attention to the loss of hope that the Christ-followers were experiencing.  I believe that their experience is not unique

We go through life with our eyes closed.  It’s our attempt to shield ourselves from the pain, from anything that might steal our hope.  When we engage in conversations about it, the longing for a full life again arises.  Our hearts burn for it.  Yet, we fail recognize life because we are focused only on death.  We look for what might help us overcome the darkness.  Money, power, fame, sex.  We will try anything.  Nothing works.  It doesn’t work because the leap from death to life is not about what, it’s about who.   Many of us figured that out a long time ago.  Unfortunately, our current circumstances have us again wandering in the dark, living in despair.

What will cause us to remember hope?  How can we recall the hope that we once carried, the hope that we chose in submission through baptism?  We must again remember death.  Jesus death, specifically.  This is the death that restores life.  Nothing else can.  Will you join me today in remembering the sacrifice that Jesus made for us?  The followers in today’s story remembered Life when Jesus broke bread with them.   We now call it communion.  Jesus promises that he will honor our attempt to remember.  We will recognize that we have a savior and salvation is ours.  Life.

Courage

Luke 23

What emotions arise in you when you read of Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and burial in Luke 23? Although I know it was part of God’s plan and Jesus willingly gave His life for you and me, anger at the Council, Pontius Pilate, and the people yelling “Crucify Him!” is one feeling that is stirred up in me often times.

Today though, let’s focus on the courage shown in Luke 23, instead of the cowardly actions of the Council, Pontius Pilate, and the people. The first act of courage we see is shown by Jesus. I had a Sunday school teacher growing up who would cry nearly every time he spoke of Jesus’ death. In my young age and immaturity, I did not understand why this moved him so much. Now older, and maybe a tad bit wiser, I think about the sacrifice, pain felt, and courage shown by Jesus to justify not what He had done, but because of what I have done, and it can move me to tears often, too. Watching The Passion of Christ movie really helps to grasp this. If you have not seen this movie, I strongly suggest you do.

The second act of courage in Luke 23 is that of one of the two criminals being crucified next to Jesus. While the people below and the other criminal being crucified mocked Jesus telling Him to save Himself if He truly was the Christ, this criminal stepped up with great courage. He was willing to be different and asked Jesus in Luke 23:42 to “remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Although we don’t know his name, we are assured that Jesus does. He says in Luke 23:43, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” This is also a good reminder for each one of us and to others we love that need to know Jesus that regardless of what sins we have done and no matter how many times we’ve committed them, anyone can be saved if they believe in Jesus and ask for forgiveness, even in the last seconds of their life. It is never too late.

The last act of courage we see is that of Joseph of Arimathea who went to Pilate in Luke 23:52 and asked for Jesus’ body to give him a proper burial. Had he not just seen what they did to Jesus and the contempt they had for Him? But greater than that, we are told in Luke 23:50 that He was a member of the Council…the same group that had Jesus arrested and just asked Pilate to kill Jesus. However, Luke 23:51 tells us that he was “looking for the Kingdom of God” and that he “had not consented to their decision and action.” Wow…talk about showing courage and a willingness to stand up for what you believe is right!

As I reflect on this, I ask myself the following questions. Am I looking for the Kingdom of God like Joseph of Arimathea? Am I willing to take a stand, despite criticism for doing so, like the criminal on the cross who asked Jesus to remember him in paradise despite mocking from the other criminal and likely the people below? Am I willing to be different and live the type of life we are called to live as the Bible instructs us? Or am I conforming to what the world tells me is right? Although I can never be perfect like Jesus, am I striving to be more like Him daily and following His example? Am I like the criminal who gave His life to Jesus? Am I like Joseph of Arimathea who was willing to be different, not only risking his reputation, but potentially his life? Or unintentionally and unbeknownst to me, am I more like one in the crowd yelling “Crucify Him?” I do know one thing is for sure, I am forever and immeasurably grateful for Jesus’ love, mercy, forgiveness, and saving grace!

Temptation

This week, I am writing on Luke 22, The Plot to Kill Jesus. Back in January, I wrote the post entitled “Why?”. It was about the same message about Judas’ betrayal and being filled by Satan, the Last Supper and his powerful words we use every Sunday during communion, praying at the Mount of Olives while the disciples slept, his betrayal and arrest, mocking him, Peter’s denial, and Jesus going before counsel. After writing about Matthew 23, my oldest son said “you didn’t really write much about temptation or denial”. Both are pretty big concepts. Let’s take one at a time.

Temptation: There are many references to temptation in the bible. Temptation comes when we are drawn away from what is believed. The more common examples include: Eve in the Garden of Eden, Jonah running away from what God asked him to do, this example from Luke 22: 3-6, Satan tempting Jesus in the wilderness and then the foretelling of the denial: Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.

As humans, we are tempted in “thought, word and deed” on a daily basis. Satan tempts us yet we are given tools to overcome this temptation. We are given stories to help us understand how others overcame (or didn’t) temptation. We are given strict instructions in our ten commandments. All this foundation is meant to keep us strong, to build us up and to send us out into the world every day. We still can be tempted to respond back to harsh words, to spend money on frivolous items, or even to “take a day off” from church.

Another angle of temptation shared by Pastor Brian Goke had an interesting twist to temptation that was very relevant to our family. His message had to do with being tempted to listen to others. You aren’t good enough. You don’t have the skills we need on our team. You aren’t smart enough. You don’t look the part. You fidget too much. Only God knows your purpose in life. He made you unique, one of a kind. He knows your boundaries. No one else does. So don’t be tempted by people telling you “you can’t”.   It was a great message for my kids – they can do anything they want and be anything they want to be. It equally applies to adults. You still can grow, decide to take on a new career, and learn a skill you never have before. Don’t listen to the negativity of others who are trying to tear you down. God is in charge.

If we go back to Judas, he wasn’t strong enough or didn’t believe enough to take the stand against Satan. He was consumed by the potential power he could receive by betraying Jesus. If he could turn him in, he would have the notoriety within society that he was “the one”. He would receive fame and fortune.   Or so he thought.

Even Peter was tempted to deny Jesus. With his denial three times, he too was tempted and caved in the heat of the moment. Even though he was viewed as the leader of the disciples, he showed his weakness and fear. He had been through a whirlwind 24 hours from the Last Supper, to falling asleep in the garden while Jesus was praying, to seeing Jesus hauled away, to understanding that Jesus’ death was ultimately happening just as it was foretold, to being on the street and being questioned. He feared what would happened to himself. Would he be hauled away like Jesus was? Would Peter be killed?

Easy to say what Peter should have done, looking back on it now. Prayer was needed. Peter needed strength, gained from knowing and believing God’s word.   He needed guidance and clarity from getting down on his knees and praying. Something all of us can do to help us stay strong through temptation. Unfortunately, temptation will continue for us whether it is caving into a demand, overindulging, or listening to someone’s negative voice. We can be strong though as we know God is with us.

Our prayer: …and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.  Amen.

The Coming Times

I always like to start my writings with a story. I think that we, as humans, love stories and can relate to them. I found that today’s reading was more challenging than most to find a story to help even grasp the teachings in Luke 21.

 

The only way I could think to relate this story to your life and mine is the story of Christmas. Each year parents tell their kids all about Santa and make sure to do everything in their power to make sure they believe that Santa was the one who put presents under the tree and not them. That isn’t the point, though. Before Christmas day comes there are signs that Christmas is coming. Lights start to go up on all the houses in the neighborhoods, the salvation army Santa Clauses’ come out, and of course, Starbucks has bright red cups to remind us of the season. As a kid, there were signs also, but they were different than adulthood. I remember when we got to decorate and put up the tree, snow started to fall and I got to put on my snowsuit, and my favorite part about the season was that everyone was happy. It was hard to explain, but everyone knew Christmas was coming soon because it was almost like it was “in the air.” The signs were there and because of those signs, we knew what was coming. We prepared ourselves because we knew these signs created an expectation in us. This is the same as the reading in Luke 21.

 

Luke 21 talks about the coming of the Son of Man. This chapter also talks about the signs of the coming season and scripture tells us to be watchful. We don’t know the day, the time, or the hour that Jesus will come back because it will be like a thief in the night but there will be signs for us to know when the day is nearing.

 

Jesus states these as the signs to be watchful of:

  • Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

  • There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences

  • But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.

  • You will be hated by all for my name’s sake

 

I sometimes wonder if we are seeing warnings now in our day-to-day lives. Wars are happening all around us. Earthquakes are killing people here and in other countries and famine is something that we can see all around us and it definitely can be found in poor countries around the world. Persecution is not happening in the world around us as much, and I think that some of us may even feel that we are persecuted here in the US, but nowhere near the same level as other places in the world.

 

What I am trying to say is that these things are happening in our world and Jesus warns us to be ready because when these signs appear he will be coming soon. I am not writing this to scare you; I am writing this to make you aware that we may not have a lot of time. The question is; what are you going to do the remaining time you have been given?

What Motivates Me?

Today’s reading is Luke 20

By this point in Jesus ministry the Jewish leaders feel so threatened and afraid of Him that they seem to be spending all their time watching Him, waiting for Him to slip up, and seeking out ways to entrap Him. They want Him out of their hair and seem to be willing to try just about anything they think they can get away with, without getting found out by the people.

In the first 8 verses of this chapter, the leaders go to Jesus and try to trap Him by asking where He gets His power. So Jesus responds with a question about John the Baptist’s power. They have to pull over to the side to confer. As they talk they realize that they are stuck so they go back to Him and say, we don’t know. I laughed out loud when I read Jesus response to their lame answer. “Okay, then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

In verses 9-19 Jesus tells the people (along with the Jewish leaders) about a farmer who plants a vineyard and leases it to some farmers to manage while He is out of the country. Turns out that this story is calling out the Jewish leaders for rejecting God’s gift of Jesus, which made way for Gentiles and outcasts to be accepted into God’s Kingdom while Jews who refused Jesus would not be added.

The rest of the chapter is filled with discussions about paying taxes, Jewish law around marriage and who will be married to whom in heaven, and questions about how the Messiah can be David’s son. So much trickery, scheming, planning and trapping…why? The Jewish leaders were powerful. Their power and celebrity caused them to become filled with greed and pride. They craved attention, prominence, and more money. Jesus threatened the good things they had going in life and they weren’t about to lose their benefits by being replaced by Him.

Before I am tempted to rant about their stupidity and the lies they told themselves and each other to continue pursuing the end of Jesus, lets back up and look at that list again. They craved power, attention, prominence and more money. I’m trying to let those words soak into my mind. I’m trying to be honest with myself about how motivated I am by the prospect of more power, attention, prominence and money. Stings a little this time around, right? I think we have to be honest and realize that this list is our human nature. On some level every one of us, at one time or another (or every day) is tempted to wish and strive for at least one of these. So how do we rearrange our minds and fill our hearts with the desire to be different than our human nature? We have to look at what motivates Jesus. The answer is simple but more powerful and meaningful than I can express. It’s His love for us. He loves us so deeply that He desires relationship with each one of us. Since we are unable to be good enough to be in His perfect presents, He gave His life to pay the price for us missing the mark. By the gift of His life, we are washed clean and able to have relationship with God. This is a different kind of nature than I have. While I cannot fully understand this kind of love and I certainly am not capable of replicating it, He offers to change me. He is willing to help me be motivated by His love for me instead of my old desires.

Tethered

    Today’s reading is from Luke 19.  As I read through this chapter, one phrase jumped out at me.  In the last verse of Luke 19, we are told that “all the people were hanging on his words” (Luke 19:48).  In the past few days, I have come across this idea of “hanging on” to the Word of God on several occasions.  Sometimes the words used were “hold fast”, and other times the word “tether” was used to describe how we are to attach ourselves to Jesus and His teachings.  When the same word or idea pops up several times within a short span of days, I pay attention!

In Jesus’ time, people were only beginning to understand who He was and how His death, burial and resurrection would impact their lives eternally.  Yet they still knew, somehow, that they needed to pay close attention to the words He spoke.  When I imagine people hanging onto Jesus’ every word, I picture a crowd pressed close together, leaning forward and straining to hear the words directly from Jesus’ mouth.  In those times, people had to work hard to hear Jesus’ words.  Hearing Him meant finding out where He would be, making their way on foot to that place, and then positioning themselves close enough to Him so that they could hear His voice.  In many ways, we have it so much easier today, don’t we?  We have relatively easy access to Bibles both in written form and on our electronic devices.  But we also have an incredible number of distractions that can draw us away from pursuing God and His word.

     In a world that is constantly changing, it is critical that we hold fast to God’s unchanging word.  His word is as valuable and relevant today as it was on the day it was written.  It is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) and God promises “it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).  

So, what does it look like on a daily basis to tether ourselves tightly to God’s word?  Here are a few suggestions.

– Spend time reading the Bible daily.  This doesn’t need to happen at a specific time each day.  The reading itself is what is important; when you do it is not.

– If you find yourself thinking you do not have time to read the Bible because you have so much else to do, consider this thought that my wise husband shared with our small group this week.  He suggested approaching spending time with God during the week with the same mindset we approach taking a Sabbath rest.  God asks us to rest once a week, and He asks us to trust that our work will get done throughout the remainder of the week.  Likewise, we can set apart time to spend reading His word daily while trusting that He will enable us to accomplish what He has called us to do that day.

 – Consider using a daily reading plan found in a Bible or online.  There are hundreds to choose from, and the accountability of a daily plan can be helpful.

 – Memorize Scripture verses that have personal meaning to you.  When your Bible or your device isn’t near, the verses you have memorized are easily recalled when you need them.

The time we spend reading our Bible matters because the words we read on the page or on the screen are alive.  His word accomplishes God’s purpose for us and for the world He created.  I encourage you to try one or more of the ideas above as you seek to hang onto every word of Jesus!

Repent, Repent, Repent

Todays Reading: Luke 18

This is Lynden; it is a privilege to be writing again this week.  The Spirit has led me to reexamine the concept of repentance. In Luke 18, we are given a beautiful, yet hard illustration of true repentance.

Luke 18: 9-14

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed[a] thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

How many times have we found ourselves as the Pharisee? I know that I have probably several times this past week. It is not malevolent in the intention, but we do look at others and make criticisms about their situation or condition. Sometimes we try to help them out or voice our concerns on them but fail to see how God will work in their life. I have been convicted to constantly look inside myself and reanalyze what purpose does God have for me in this situation. I pray constantly to be an instrument in God’s purpose.

Growing up in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, I had the belief of repentance as something that is done once and you are not ever suppose to change or revert. When you have this idea you start to question your own progress and outlook. You feel that if you fall or “back slide” you cannot get back to the “right” place. You feel that God is going to judge you different and the marks against you will keep adding up. I have new hope and a new growth as I have matured in my Christian journey.

A few reference verses that have ministered to me are:

Matthew 18: 21-22

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Luke 17: 3-4

3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Repentance is a constant and dynamic change that allows you to grow in Christ. Repentance is the knowledge that you are not where you are supposes to be, but making the changes and to get to your destination. I realize, I have grown into the Tax Collector, I am forever asking God to have mercy on me and I am not worthy for His blessings.

In writing this post I had an epiphany, the main people that were part of the “Twelve” are fishermen. The main tool that a fisherman uses is the boat. If you have ever had any experience using a sailboat or canoe, you know that you cannot go from point A to point B in a single “straight” line. You plot a course then you sail for awhile, then you realign yourself and course correct and then sail a little bit more, and then you course correct again then you repeat. Finally you arrive at your destination. If you were able to map out your traveled course you would find that you had a zigzag pattern over the water, but you are at the planned final destination. It is awesome how God uses the fisherman as an example for repentance; they knew that to get across the water you have to make constant corrections (repentance) to make it to the final destination. As it is state in the text, you cannot change once, or seven times, but as many as it takes to make it to the final destination.

Heavenly Father, continue to guide us on our journey. We will fall and drift off course, please me merciful to us as we are all sinners and need guidance daily. Amen

Eucharisteo

 

Why do we give thanks?

In her book One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp says, “This is the crux of Christianity: to remember and give thanks, eucharisteo. Why? Why is remembering and giving thanks the core of the Christ-faith? Because remembering with thanks is what causes us to trust; to really believe. Re-membering, giving thanks, is what makes us a member again of the body of Christ. Re-membering, giving thanks is what puts us back together again in this hurried, broken, fragmented world.”

In Luke 17:15, one of ten lepers that is healed returns to Jesus and gives thanks.

Lets read what happens in Luke 17 verses 11-19:
11-As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria.
12-As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance,
13-crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14-He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, their leprosy disappeared.
15-One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God, I’m healed!
16-He fell face down on the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
17-Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?
18-Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?”
19-And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well.”
I would like to think that I would be like the one man that went back to Jesus to say “Thank You”. I wonder what the other 9 men thought when they saw this man running back to Jesus? Did they see him fall to his knees and give thanks? It took extra time for this man to run back to Jesus and not to his family and loved ones from whom he had been estranged. He took that time and for that he was rewarded by Jesus. Thankfulness is sometimes time-consuming. It means we have to be aware of giving thanks to God and pause to tell him “Thank You”. Are we too busy in our days to take the time to do this? To always give thanks in all circumstances, especially the big ones like this, the curing of leprosy. But, how many times does something happen in my life in which I am grateful, but neglect to give Jesus the glory and thanks that He deserves? Probably more times than I care to admit.

Eucaristeo means thanksgiving. Within this word are the greek words: Charis, which means Grace and the word Chara, which means joy. A life of gratitude brings transformation. By coming to Jesus and falling at His feet to thank Him, the man with leprosy received something greater than physical healing, he also was saved from his sins. His nine friends were declared clean by the priest, but he was declared saved by the Son of God.

What miracles are we missing when we do not Thank God for the gifts that He bestows upon us?

What do I need to thank God for today?