Just Curious

Acts 15-16

So Paul and Silas head to Philippi where they meet Lydia and her "church" down by the river. They preached the gospel and her heart was opened and she was baptized. Since they were down by the river already, it is easy to presume that the baptism occurred in the river. When Paul and Silas were later jailed and subsequently miraculously released, the jailer came to Christ. He and his whole household were baptized. Just curious if there is any reason to believe that they went down to the river versus sprinkling or pouring, and how old were his children? Hmmm.

Harmony

Psalms 131-133

Scripture makes it clear that harmony and unity in the Body of Christ is part of God's plan. Where there is disunity in the body, sin is often lurking around the corner. The psalmist declares...

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.

This same thought is expressed in Jesus's pastoral prayer in the Gospel of John. It is his heartfelt desire that all of his disciples live and work in harmonious unity... dedicated to spreading the Gospel and ringing in the Kingdom of Heaven. God's message to us today is no less clear, we are called to be one.

Are We Done Yet?

Zechariah 1-7

Seventy years into Judah's exile, in the fourth year of King Darius' reign, the people of Bethel asked a question of the Lord regarding whether they should continue in mourning or if the exile would end. God's response was probably not what they wanted to hear... he asked if their hearts had turned to him or if all of their sacrifice was for themselves and for show. We must remember, even today, that we may be able to fool our neighbors with our pious displays, the the intended audience of our worship is not fooled or amused... he knows our heart. Our only true choice is to turn to him with everything that we are or else we are turning away from him.

Meaningless

Ecclesiastes 5-6

It is meaningless to desire that which you do not have. God blesses those whom he will bless and if he blesses you with a gift, then enjoy the gift, share it with others and be filled with joy. But if curse instead is your lot, then be satisfied with what you have and be merry. To wish for different is to place your hope in meaninglessness. This then may be the true secret of the Beatitude Blessed are the poor... the blessedness comes in joyful acceptance of our lot whatever that is.

True Happiness

1 Peter 1-3

What would it take to bring true happiness to your life? Growing up, I just knew that true happiness could be found the the annual Sears Christmas Wish Book. Evey year when it arrived at the house, we would take turns (maybe nicely because Christmas was almost there) going through the Wish Book and developing our personal Wish Lists. Times haven't changed much, children (and sadly some adults) still think that true happiness comes from getting all the toys you want, but Peter had a different idea...

Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.

 God has a present waiting for us in Heaven, there may be trials first, but the end is so worth it.

There Is That

2 Chronicles 33-36

Nebuchadnezzar totally destroyed Judah, he... killed the young men and young women, the old and the infirm, took all of the treasures from the temple and the palace, then burned them, tore down the walls of Jerusalem, completely destroyed everything of value, and took the few who survived were taken captive. How can there possibly be a bright side?

So the message of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The land finally enjoyed its Sabbath rest.

Oh, right... there is that... the land enjoyed the rest that God had always intended. Although he has given us freewill, we cannot thwart God's will, only delay it through our sin. His will be done.

Stop Being Stubborn

Deuteronomy 10-12

Moses is running through a synopsis of everything that has happened over the last 40 years to the Israelites as they sit across the Jordan from the Promised Land. He explains to them that all they need to do is to fear and love God, do what he says and everything that the Lord has (and he has everything) will be theirs. That's when he says... change your hearts and stop being stubborn. I think if Moses were here today he'd say the same thing. In our stubborn pride we toss out God's priorities for our own and then make up a story about how God would want it this way. It is easy to wonder at how the Israelites could have been so stupid... the hard part is seeing ourselves in the Israelites sandals.