Lent – Spaces of Beauty, Grace, Prayer, and Mercy

Stop Trying Harder

January 21, 2023 Jeff3 Comments

Today is Saturday, the 21st of January, 2023, in the season of Epiphany.

May the peace of Christ enfold you today!

Day 23,690

I suppose the next “big thing” coming up is Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22, this year. That’s 32 days from today. I’m looking forward to observing Lent at my new church.

I made it through my work day pretty well, yesterday. Some coughing, used a few tissues, but it was okay. I’m feeling better, this morning, but still not quite 100%. I will “mask up” at work until my symptoms are gone. I’ll be at the library from 9:30-6:15 today, working at the circulation desk. We never know what Saturdays are going to look like at the circ desk. The last Saturday I worked, two weeks ago, was one of the busiest that I can remember. But yesterday was really slow, at least in the computer center.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

Oh, how I love your law!
 It is my meditation all day long.
(Psalms 119:97 NRSV)

Father, I thank You for Your Word. I confess that I do not make it my “meditation all day long,” but I do, at least, remember to come back to it, during my day. I keep praying for a united heart, that I might properly fear Your name.

Dear Father in heaven, we rejoice that you are our Father. We rejoice that you rule and guide each of us so that our path in life leads to what is good and genuine and we do not get stuck in this or that concern. Lead us, renew us, and again and again free us to go forward, finding new courage and joy for ourselves and for our fellowmen. Then we can praise you, your strength and power can be revealed to us, your heaven come down to earth, and your will be done on earth. Here on earth your help shall come to the poor, the weak, the lowly, the sick, and the suffering. May your name be praised! We rejoice in your name. Amen.

Daily Prayer from Plough.com

In my distress I called upon the LORD; 
to my God I cried for help. 
From his temple he heard my voice, 
and my cry to him reached his ears.
(Psalms 18:6 NRSV)

Today I am grateful:

for God’s Word; may it be my meditation all day long (Psalm 119:97)
that the Lord hears me “from His temple,” when I cry out to Him.
that the Spirit guides us to what is good and genuine
that life in the kingdom of God is not about trying harder
that because the Lord is my light and my salvation, my stronghold, I have nothing to fear (Psalm 27:1)

Seek the LORD and his strength; 
seek his presence continually.
(Psalms 105:4 NRSV)

Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
 "Come," my heart says, "seek his face!" 
Your face, LORD, do I seek. 
Do not hide your face from me. 
Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. 
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
(Psalms 27:7-9 NRSV)

But you indeed are awesome! 
Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused?
(Psalms 76:7 NRSV)

I sought the LORD, and he answered me, 
and delivered me from all my fears.
(Psalms 34:4 NRSV)

“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
(Luke 15:8-10 NRSV)

You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 
Because you have made the LORD your refuge, 
the Most High your dwelling place,
 no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. 
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 
On their hands they will bear you up, 
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. 
You will tread on the lion and the adder, 
the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
(Psalms 91:8-13 NRSV)

Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us
Lord, have mercy on us

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(The Divine Hours - The Prayer Appointed for the Week)

"Now we cannot . . . discover our failure to keep God's law except by trying our very hardest (and then failing). Unless we really try, whatever we say there will always be at the back of our minds the idea that if we try harder next time we shall succeed in being completely good. Thus, in one sense, the road back to God is a road of moral effort, of trying harder and harder. But in another sense it is not trying that is every going to bring us home. All this trying leads up to the vital moment at which you turn to God and say, 'You must do this. I can't.'"
(C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, quoted in The C.S. Lewis Bible, in regard to Leviticus 14-16)

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; 
for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
(Psalms 23:4 NRSV)

Of David.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; 
whom shall I fear? 
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
(Psalms 27:1 NRSV)

But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence.
(Colossians 1:22 MSG)

The book of Leviticus is arguably the most difficult book of the Bible to read. I have never known anyone who has enthusiastically approached this book, and declared it to be their favorite book in the Bible. I have heard it said that you can find Christ on every page in the Bible. I’m skeptical about Leviticus.

I mean no disrespect or dishonor. It is part of what we have before us as God’s Word, and, therefore, has some purpose for us. And I believe that at least part of that purpose is illustrated by the quote from C.S. Lewis, above.

I started reading through the Bible, again, this year, starting with Genesis, in the new NRSV that I got for Christmas. This week, I arrived at Leviticus. I’m reading five chapters a day, so I don’t have much more to go . . . maybe another day or two. Or three. I have twelve chapters left.

It is, essentially, nothing but laws about this and that. Most of the five chapters I read today are about what to do if leprosy appears on one’s body or one’s clothes or in one’s home.

We are no longer under the law, as we have moved into the era of grace, because of Jesus. As the verse in Colossians says, Jesus has brought us “over to God’s side,” and put our lives together. We are, in Christ, “whole and holy.” Or, as one of my favorite Mercy Me songs says, “The Cross has made you flawless.”

We have a choice in our lives. We can keep on “trying harder and harder,” as C.S. Lewis said, or we can stop that nonsense and come to the correct conclusion that, “You must do this. I can’t.”

We can try our best to live by the Ten Commandments, and all of that Levitical Law, but then we must accept what was said in Paul’s epistles, that, if we fail at even the smallest point of the Law, we have violated the entirety of it. That should be most discouraging to anyone.

Unless that “anyone” has become a Christ-follower. Christ kept the Law for us; He fulfilled it. He did not abolish it, but He fulfilled it, which means we don’t have to. All we have to do is follow His commands. And His commands are short and sweet. They sum up the entirety of the Law and the Prophets. We simply must love God and love people.

This is not as easy as it sounds. I know this from experience. God is easy to love. Most of the time. Except for maybe when things don’t go quite the way I want them to. But people? People, especially some of them, are really hard to love. I imagine I am pretty hard to love, to some people.

But here’s the thing. Way up there, close to the top of this post, are some verses from Psalms that give great advice, advice that is very helpful in this journey of faith. I’ll repeat them.

Seek the LORD and his strength; 
seek his presence continually.
(Psalms 105:4 NRSV)

Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
 "Come," my heart says, "seek his face!" 
Your face, LORD, do I seek. 
Do not hide your face from me. 
Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. 
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
(Psalms 27:7-9 NRSV)

I sought the LORD, and he answered me, 
and delivered me from all my fears.
(Psalms 34:4 NRSV)

Seek. Seek the Lord. Seek His face. Expend as much energy as you can on this, and the rest of this stuff will align itself. I’m not pretending that it will not still be difficult to love some people, but if we are seeking God, constantly (Frank Laubach, in his “game of minutes,” opined that it is possible to think about God at least once per minute, throughout our day), His love will channel through us and shove our own unloving thoughts to one side, and maybe even eliminate them altogether.

It’s not about trying harder. Remember what Moses said to the Israelites, when they saw Pharaoh and his army coming after them at the Red Sea?

“The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.”
(Exodus 14:14 NRSV)

They didn’t have to “try harder.” They just had to stand still and watch the mighty hand of God take out their enemy.

So stop trying harder and start seeking.

Father, I praise You for Your Word and what it means to me. I thank You for the truths contained therein. I pray that You will help us to take these truths and incorporate them into our lives, that we might fully love You and then love our neighbors as ourselves. Help us to stop expending so much energy in trying to be “better Christians.” We can’t do it. I can’t do it; You must do it. I surrender.

I thank You that, in Christ, I have nothing to fear. You are my light and my salvation, the stronghold of my life. I may not always live like I believe that, and I pray that that would change as I continue to seek Your face. As I go through this day, may my mind, soul, and spirit be drawn into Your presence, to know You more, and to contemplate You and Your presence even more.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Grace and peace, friends.

Be Content

April 4, 2020 Jeff

Today is Saturday, April 4, 2020, in the fifth week of Lent. Peace be with you!

Day 22,668

Eight days until Resurrection Sunday.

Fifty-two years ago today, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, TN.

Yesterday was a pretty smooth day at work. Since we are delaying all receiving for twenty-four hours, there is no need for us to work late on Fridays. I am learning new things, finally getting transitioned into that new role into which I was promoted last year. I’m somewhat excited about it. Not only is it an opportunity to learn new things, but also to prove my value to the company.

We will be picking up our grocery order at the store, today. I placed the order Thursday evening, because the first available pick up time, on Thursday evening, was from 3:00 to 4:00 PM today! That is at our usual Kroger store. One other nearby store’s first available slot was tomorrow! It will be interesting to see what items need to be substituted. They will send a text message with a link to show me exactly what they are trying to substitute for anything that is unavailable, and I’ll have the option to accept or reject the substitution.

There’s no other news, to speak of, except that I’m expecting an order to come down, any day, that orders us to wear masks any time we venture outside. Since there aren’t really any surgical masks available, I assume we’ll have to improvise. I believe I have at least one bandanna. Perhaps I should wear a cowboy hat with it, to look more authentic.

I’ll be joining our WW workshop via Zoom in a couple of hours. Still making progress in the program. I don’t know what weight I’ll be reporting yet. I’ll wait until around 10:00 to log my “official” weight for this week.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD!
(Psalms 115:18 ESV)

Today I am grateful:
1. For the weekend to rest for the next work week. I realize that doesn’t mean much to many people, now, but I’m still going to work, so I’m grateful for the two days off.
2. That You are teaching me to be content with what I have.
3. For Your spiritual armor. Help me to put it on each day.
4. That everything I have is a gift from You.
5. That You constantly grace me with that which I do not deserve.

I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
(Psalms 142:5 ESV)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
(Psalms 108:5 ESV)

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
(Psalms 84:11 ESV)

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 10:32-33 ESV)

Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day. For it is a statute for Israel, a rule of the God of Jacob. He made it a decree in Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt. Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me! There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god. I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
(Psalms 81:3-5, 8-10 ESV)

“Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”
(The Divine Hours, The Prayer Appointed for the Week)

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.
(Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 ESV)

“The truth is, striving to find fulfillment apart from God will prove futile. While Scripture calls us to work hard and use our gifts for the good of the world, we can never accumulate enough to satisfy our deepest longings. Jesus alone offers a real and satisfying life (John 10:10)–one based on a loving relationship that’s truly enough!”
(Winn Collier, Our Daily Bread)

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
(Ephesians 6:13 ESV)

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
(Colossians 3:12 ESV)

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A wedding song.
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad. Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.
(Psalms 45:1-9 NIV)

The concept of contentment is what is on my mind, this morning. We seen a lot of examples of people who won’t be content, in the past few weeks. The evidence of this is the fact that most stores still can’t keep toilet paper on the shelves. This is baffling to me, and to many other rationally-thinking people. But it gives us a clear picture of the nature of humanity. As a general rule, mankind is greedy and self-centered.

Jesus calls us to be other than this. Rather than greed, we are called to generosity. The reason that we are blessed is so that we can share it with others. If I have extra, I am called to be willing to give it away. In some cases, I may even be called to give away that which is not “extra.”

Rather than being self-centered and arrogant, we are called to be humble and meek. I have nothing in this life that I accomplished myself, or obtained by my own skill or wits. All that I have is a gift from God. Even any skill or wits that I might have are gifts from Him.

Rather than hateful or indifferent toward people, we are to be compassionate and kind. This comes into play in the hoarding scenarios, as well. If you are hoarding something, you are taking it away from someone else who might truly need it. And, in some cases, I believe indifference may even be worse than hatred. Remember what Jesus said about people who are “lukewarm?”

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
(Revelation 3:15-17 NIV)

And, rather than being in a hurry, anxious to have our own way, we are called to be patient. This may be one of the most difficult concepts for the modern Western person. We are so used to having everything right now! And, suddenly, we are being forced to do nothing but wait. And we don’t even really know what we are waiting for, other than for the threat of this disease to be over. Patience. Slow down. “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life” (Dallas Willard). There’s no hurry, now, is there? Most of you have nowhere to go.

Ironic that gas is so cheap, now, isn’t it?

Father, please keep teaching me these qualities: a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. When I begin to display the opposite of these, and it does happen on a daily basis, may Your Spirit prompt me, and may I immediately repent.
Lord, please shorten these days. Protect our families; protect our church families; protect our nation, and protect our world. We pray for this disease to end. And may we be quick to learn a valuable lesson from these days. Much of what we thought we needed, we truly don’t need. Teach us contentment.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
(Colossians 3:12 ESV)

Grace and peace, friends.

Not Asleep

April 3, 2020 Jeff

Today is . . . hey, it’s Friday!! March 3, 2020, in the fifth week of Lent. Peace be with you!

Day 22,667

Nine days until Resurrection Sunday. Sadly, we will not be gathering in person to celebrate. But we will celebrate!

I had a chat with my mother, last night (phone call). We called to check on her because we got news that the head maintenance man for their church tested positive for COVID-19. Of course, the entire staff, including the pastor, is at risk, and are all being tested, as well. While they were not having physical services, a handful of folks were presenting a streamed worship service each Sunday morning, from the church stage. A rotating group, small enough to be “legal” would be there, the music leader would sing some songs, and the pastor preaches a sermon. Please join us in praying for all of them.

Mama has not been exposed, I’m confident, as she has not been to church in weeks, due to the pain her knee is causing her. I don’t even think she has left the house, except to go to the doctor, in several weeks. We called her because we knew she would be upset and probably need someone to talk to.

That’s pretty much all the news I have. Except for this:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
(Psalms 23:4 ESV)

In spite of all the panic, in spite of all the fear, and even in spite of any risk, “This world is a perfectly safe place for us to be” (Dallas Willard). If we live by the words of Psalm 23, we can have a life free from fear.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

But I call to God, and the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah. because they do not change and do not fear God.
(Psalms 55:16-19 ESV)

Today I am grateful:
1. That my mother is safe.
2. That we continue to be well, here, in spite of me going to work every day.
3. That, so far as I know, the virus has not hit our little church family.
4. That You have chosen me and brought me near, to dwell in Your courts (Psalm 65.4).
5. That You, alone, are my rock and my salvation, my fortress: I SHALL NOT BE SHAKEN! (Psalm 62.6)
6. That, if we follow You, we will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail (Isaiah 58.11).

To the choirmaster. Of David, for the memorial offering.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!
(Psalms 70:1 ESV)

Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!
(Psalms 65:4 ESV)

He who teaches man knowledge—the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath. Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law.
(Psalms 94:10-12 ESV)

Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
(Luke 17:26-30 ESV)

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.
(Psalms 62:5-12 ESV)

“Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
(The Divine Hours, The Prayer Appointed for the Week)

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
(2 Timothy 4:1-8 ESV)

This life is temporary. If anything, this virus scare is illustrating that. Yet, we do everything we can to hold on to this life. Jesus taught us differently.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
(Matthew 16:24-26 ESV)

This does not mean we should act foolishly, and, in doing so, endanger the lives of others. This involves more of a state of mind, and is the reason that I can quote those words of Dallas Willard, “This world is a perfectly safe place for us to be.” In the words of a somewhat popular rock song of the eighties, we need to “hold on loosely” to this life, and hold on to Jesus Christ with all we’ve got.

The Scripture passage from 2 Timothy came from today’s reading in Our Daily Bread.

May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!
(Psalms 20:4 ESV)

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
(Psalms 37:4-5 ESV)

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
(Isaiah 58:10-11 ESV)

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

All this came upon us, though we had not forgotten you; we had not been false to your covenant. Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals; you covered us over with deep darkness. If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart? Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love.
(Psalms 44:17-26 NIV)

The psalmist boldly cries out for God to wake up! But God does not sleep. Yes, Jesus slept in the boat with the disciples, while they freaked out and panicked. But, as we see in Psalm 121, “He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalms 121:3-4 NIV)

“God is not asleep, but he won’t be rushed. He knows what he’s doing. He has a plan and it’s a plan of love.”

“Prayer: Lord Jesus, in the boat during the storm your disciples accused you of not caring–but you were never out of control and you saved them. I confess that to me also you seem not to care, to be doing nothing. That is wrong. The cross proves incontrovertibly, eternally, that you do care. I praise you and rest in you for that. Amen.”

Father, I know that You do not sleep. Yet, as the Kellers have indicated, it does seem like, at times, that You are not acting, maybe even ignoring us. But that’s my humanity talking, my flesh. Help me to keep my mind renewed, and help my mind to think about You in ways that match how You really are. Help me to keep a firm grip on reality, especially in these days. You are God. You are Almighty, and You are in control. We can be free from fear. Help us to realize this freedom today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
(Psalms 23:1-6 ESV)

Grace and peace, friends.

Let It All Out!

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
(1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV)

April 2, 2020 Jeff

Today is Thursday, April 2, 2020, in the fifth week of Lent. Peace be with you.

Day 22,666

Ten days until Resurrection Sunday.

We actually visited with our previous pastor, yesterday evening. He needed a check from the Exchange’s checkbook, and it happened to be at our house. He stopped by to get it, and he stood at the edge of the porch, and we stood in our hallway, and we chatted for quite a while. It was very nice to talk to him. He seems to be doing fine, and that was encouraging.

That’s pretty much all I have to report, this morning.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.
(Psalms 95:6-8 ESV)

Today I am grateful:
1. For the cooler temperatures over the last few days.
2. For a good visit with a dear friend, last night.
3. That You are a righteous judge (Psalm 7.11).
4. That, if we ask anything according to Your will, You hear us (1 John 5.14).
5. That we can be totally honest with You in our prayers, expressing ALL of our emotions (Psalm 44)!

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
(Psalms 90:12 ESV)

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
(Psalms 18:2-3 ESV)

I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.
(Psalms 101:6 ESV)

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
(John 2:13-22 ESV)

Arise, O LORD, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; awake for me; you have appointed a judgment. Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you; over it return on high. The LORD judges the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous— you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God! My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.
(Psalms 7:6-11 ESV)

“Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
(The Divine Hours, The Prayer Appointed for the Week)

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
(2 Corinthians 9:6-9 ESV)

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
(Galatians 6:2 ESV)

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
(1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV)

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
(1 John 5:14 ESV)

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies. You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us. You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations. You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale. You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us. I live in disgrace all day long, and my face is covered with shame at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.
(Psalms 44:9-16 NIV)

There doesn’t seem to be anything good in this bit, does there?

When we hear of essential pieces of prayer, what are the most often quoted parts? “Adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication.” A.C.T.S. And learning how to pray in these ways during times of suffering “is so critical for spiritual growth (and for survival) that it should be considered a spiritual skill on its own.”

What do we normally do during times of suffering? “Most of us in suffering stop praying or put up a brief petition for help.” (I can tell you right now that this is most definitely not how I react!) In this psalm, the psalmist almost seems to be shouting at God, expressing “pain, frustration, and even anger to God.”

But here is what is important. He is doing these things before God and to God. “God understands us so well that he permits, even encourages, us to speak to him with uncensored hearts.”

Isn’t that marvelous? Are you angry? Let God know about it! He can take it. And, like most humans, he won’t shout back at you.

“Prayer: Lord, I praise you for being a God who invites us to give you long lists of complaints! How patient, loving, and caring you are to all your children. Thank you for the invitation to unburden myself fully, without the need to say everything in the ‘right way.’ Amen.”

Father, I thank You that You are a God who doesn’t want us to “sugar-coat” our prayers. You want to hear what is on my heart, and You want me to be 100% honest and transparent with You. There is not a human being on the planet with whom I can converse like I can talk to You! But, even more importantly, when I am angry or hurt or sad, You also work through my prayers to heal my heart and my spirit.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

“As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.” Job 5.8-9

Grace and peace, friends.

O God, Our Help In Ages Past

April 1, 2020 Jeff2 Comments

Today is Wednesday, April 1, 2020, in the fifth week of Lent. Peace be with you.

Day 22,665

Eleven days until Resurrection Sunday.

I don’t think there will be many April Fool’s jokes today.

C found paper towels, yesterday! We needed a few things that we didn’t get in our grocery order, so she ventured out to the store. Albertsons didn’t have any, and she had to go to Kroger to get the lancets I like, and Kroger had about ten packages of Brawny, so she bought two. She also found some Cherry Diet Dr. Pepper for me. Oh, and she gave the Cherry Coke to our neighbor. So that’s cool. That’s the neighbor that found our cat.

That’s about all I have, for today. I will say it’s going to be a very sad month for us. There are several events/memories in this month, and we won’t be able to gather with family to celebrate/memorialize. We were also planning our trip to Glen Rose on the weekend of the 16th-19th. I seriously doubt that we should do that. We haven’t made up our minds, yet. We’re not sure the rules allow for such a trip. However, if we did go, we would be “sheltered-in-place” in a remote cabin for the whole weekend, with little to no human contact. We haven’t spoken with the cabin owners, yet. We’ll try to do that this weekend.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.
(Psalms 85:8-9 ESV)

Today I am grateful:
1. That You, O Lord, still speak to us; help us to listen.
2. For the beautiful weather yesterday.
3. That You open my eyes to see new things.
4. That You are good, and Your steadfast love endures forever (1 Chronicles 16.34).
5. That You are still here with us, enabling us to do Your work.

Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.
(Psalms 43:3-4 ESV)

That they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.
(Psalms 83:18 ESV)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
(Isaiah 9:2 ESV)

And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
(Luke 19:41-44 ESV)

A Psalm of David.
The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah.
(Psalms 24:1-6 ESV)

As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
(Psalms 84:6 ESV)

“Gracious Father, whose blessed son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
(The Divine Hours, The Prayer Appointed for the Week)

There are some good words for these days in today’s selection of Scriptures from The Divine Hours. Words about hearing what God is speaking, not returning to folly, letting light and truth guide us, and knowing that God Almighty is Most High over all the earth. May we hear and heed those words today.

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
(Luke 22:39-44 ESV)

“What might we learn if we prayed honestly and with complete abandon, as Jesus did? What situation are you facing right now where you can pray honestly yet with abandon to God?”
(Elisa Morgan, Our Daily Bread)

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
(Psalms 119:18 ESV)

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
(1 Chronicles 16:34 ESV)

The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.
(Proverbs 20:12 ESV)

With these Scriptures from Daily Guideposts, I begin to think that God might be trying to tell me something. I’d better have my eyes and ears, as well as my spirit, open and paying attention today. I don’t want to miss this.

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.
We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our ancestors; you crushed the peoples and made our ancestors flourish. It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
(Psalms 44:1-8 NIV)

The benefit of “story” is evident in this reading. It is the stories that were handed down from generation to generation that allowed him to write that he had heard what the Lord had done for his ancestors “in their days, in days long ago.”

“We have a direct link to the mighty deeds of the past, because they were the exploits not of our ancestors but of God himself, and that God is still with us. Christians should never look at church history as if it contained some great race of heroes that has vanished irretrievably. Their God is our God. Nor should we look at earlier times of spiritual ministry in our lives and think that we’ll never be capable of that again.

“You weren’t capable of it the first time. It was God. And he is still there.”

Look at that sentence again!

“You weren’t capable of it the first time!”

I don’t know when I have felt more encouraged than I do right this second. Our God, the God who is Most High over all the earth, still reigns. It is He who did the marvelous works of our ancestors and of our own past. And it is He will is still able to do those works, even when we believe that we can’t do them, which is correct, because we can’t!

I once had a pastor who said, “The Christian life isn’t hard. It’s impossible.” And, to a degree, it is. But the yoke of Jesus is easy because we step into it with Him!

“Prayer: ‘O God our help in ages past’–you are still with me now. I thank you that you are eternal, unchanging in your person, character, and attributes. Let me remember that with excited anticipation for the things you will be doing today through me. Amen.” (Quote from the hymn, “O God Our Help in Ages Past,” by Isaac Watts)

Yes, Father! Draw me closer to You today, and hold my eyes and ears wide open to see what it is that You have to say to me and do in and through me! Help me to believe that there are still acts of ministry that You have for me to do in You and in Your power. But not in my own, because I have never been capable of doing them. It was always You!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

“O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.”

Grace and peace, friends.

You

March 31, 2020 Jeff2 Comments

Today is Tuesday, March 31, 2020, in the fifth week of Lent. Peace be with you!

Day 22,664

Twelve days until Resurrection Sunday.

Our grocery delivery went okay, yesterday, but just “okay.” I got a text when the shopper began, and there weren’t a lot of replacements, which was good. However, I started getting texts that she was replacing things without asking approval. That’s not how that is supposed to work. When I finally started questioning that, then she started asking. But she wasn’t real great at communication, because, when they were out of Cherry Coke Zero, she said they had “regular.” I assumed she meant “regular” Coke Zero, but she delivered a box of “regular” Cherry Coke. Ugh. Kroger’s delivery service is powered by Instacart. I don’t think I’ll be doing that again. I’ll go pick them up at the store. Kroger employees do all of that, and you get precise options on what they are attempting to replace your items with, along with the choice to reject the substitution. Oh, and they still are completely out of paper towels. I just don’t get that. I wish I had a clue what people are thinking. Or maybe I don’t.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
(Psalms 118:19)

Today I am grateful:
1. For the rain we got yesterday
2. For the cooler temperature yesterday afternoon and this morning
3. That I have reliable transportation to get to work
4. For the gift of technology that allows us to still “meet” together as a church
5. For the gift of music, without which life would be unbearable
6. That You, O Lord, are my hiding place

Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.
(Psalms 90:13-16)

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
(Psalms 104:1)

I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
(Psalms 116:9)

“Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one.”
(John 17:11-13, 20-22)

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
(Psalms 33:18-22)

“Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
(The Divine Hours, The Prayer Appointed for the Week)

“Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people everywhere, and strengthen each of us to do your will; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.”
(The Divine Hours, The Concluding Prayer of the Church)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
(Ephesians 1:3-14)

“We don’t have to earn God’s grace, forgiveness, or entrance into His family. We simply accept His free gift.”
(Julie Schwab, Our Daily Bread)

And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them.
(Luke 4:42)

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
(Matthew 6:6)

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
(Mark 1:35)

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked. You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
(Psalms 43:1-5 NIV)

God is our hiding place, our shelter, our stronghold. If you notice, there is a common “refrain” between Psalm 42 and Psalm 43. “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Verse 5)

“When we put our trust in the living God, we know that nothing can come into that stronghold without God’s permission, limitation, and purpose.” The psalmist, here, even looks to God for his vindication, “not looking either to human approval or to personal vengeance.” The refrain in verse 5 has more of a ring of confidence to it than the ones in the previous psalm.

“Prayer: Lord, you are my vindication and reputation–it doesn’t matter what anyone else says. You are my stronghold–nothing else can protect me from every danger, even death. You are my joy and delight==all others will desert me. If you are my God, why should I be downcast? Amen.”

Father, You are my hiding place, my shelter, my refuge. You uphold me, and my identity and reputation are found in you alone. You are, indeed, my stronghold, and will protect me and deliver me. Even in death, there will be deliverance, as death is nothing more than a gateway to eternal life. And You will never forsake me. Help me to hide in You today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)

Grace and peace, friends.

Preach the Gospel . . . To Yourself!

March 30, 2020 Jeff

Today is Monday, March 30, 2020, in the fifth week of Lent. Peace be with you.

Day 22,663

Thirteen days until Resurrection Sunday.

Our Zoom worship “gathering” went well, yesterday morning. There seemed to be a general consensus that we liked Zoom better than Google Hangouts. And, as an added bonus, our former pastor joined us! It was so good to see his face and hear his voice!

Back to work today, for another week in the Twilight Zone. As far as I can tell, nothing is changing. The number of cases continues to rise, of course, and has risen a bit more sharply, but that is because, so I hear, more people are being tested. But, then, I really don’t know who or what to believe, any more.

C and I watched Once Upon A Time . . . in Hollywood yesterday. It’s quite long, over 2.5 hours. It is also most certainly not for everyone. Typical Tarantino, it is full of language. The violence is not as heavy, until the end. There’s a lot of screaming in the last few minutes. But, honestly, the premise of the ending is downright hilarious. I won’t spoil it here.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

Aleph.
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
(Psalms 119:1-3)

Today I am grateful:
1. For another week ahead, with opportunities to serve the Lord
2. That You are “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86.15)
3. That the works of Your hands are faithful and just, and all Your precepts are trustworthy (Psalm 111.7)
4. That You have a much bigger picture in view than we do
5. For the truth of the Gospel, that we need to preach to ourselves, daily

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
(Psalms 51:12)

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
(Psalms 86:15)

For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?—
(Psalms 18:31)

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
(Matthew 13:47-50)

Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
(Psalms 111:2, 7-10)

“Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
(The Divine Hours, The Prayer Appointed for the Week)

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
(Matthew 26:26-29)

“Maybe the ‘beginning’ of your story feels messed up. Maybe you don’t think there’s much of a future. But there’s a bigger story. It’s a story of a God who made you on purpose and for a purpose, who took pleasure in you. It’s a story of a God who came to rescue you (Matthew 26:28); a God who put His Spirit in you to renew you and recover your identity. It’s a story of a God who wants to bless you.”
(Glenn Packiam, Our Daily Bread)

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:30-31)

‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”‘ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
(Genesis 50:17)

And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
(Luke 17:1-4)

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
(Psalms 42:6-11)

This repeated phrase, “I will yet praise him” is “not a mere prediction of change but an active exercise.”

Now, here, the Kellers bring us a statement that fits the current circumstances perfectly. “When we are discouraged, we listen to the fearful speculations of our hearts. ‘What if this happens?’ ‘Maybe it’s because of that!'” In this psalm, the psalmist hears his heart, but then addresses it, “taking his soul in hand, saying, ‘Remember this, O soul!'” He reminds his heart of the things that God has done for him, and that the Lord is still working, even in the troubles. Even the waves that are sweeping over him belong to the Lord (“all your waves and breakers have swept over me”).

“This self-communion is a vital spiritual exercise.” Many discourage the practice of talking to yourself. I talk to myself all the time. It’s not always good. Sometimes, I’m berating myself. But then, sometimes, I do it right. I encourage myself with God’s Word, and I remind myself that, no matter what is going on, “I will yet praise Him.”

“Prayer: Lord, I need to learn how to preach to my own heart, rather than just listening to its foolish or panicky chatter. Help me learn how to effectively say to my unruly inward being, ‘Put your hope in God!’ Amen.”

Yes, Father! It is easy to be in fear and panic mode, right now. Help us to speak back to our fearful hearts, proclaiming Your truth and preaching the Gospel to ourselves, daily. We need to be reminded of Your steadfast love and faithfulness to Your children!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

“As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.” Job 5.8-9

Grace and peace, friends.

This, Too, Shall Pass

“Apart from me you can do nothing.”

March 29, 2020March 29, 2020 Jeff3 Comments

Today is Sunday, March 29, 2020, the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Peace be with you!

Day 22,662

Fourteen days until Resurrection Sunday (next Sunday is Palm Sunday).

Today is R’s birthday! Happy birthday to you! I love you!

C and I went out for a walk, yesterday. That’s allowed, so don’t scold me. We did not come within six feet of another person, while walking. We did see a small group, probably all one family, that were not observing that caution. However, C and I were holding hands, so we weren’t observing it, either. But, hey. We live together, you know. It was a beautiful afternoon, and felt so good to be outside for a little while.

A little while later, though, I started feeling like I was catching a cold. That was a little scary. But C reminded me that we had gone outside and that I’m allergic to outside. Which has always been true, and it is allergy season. How convoluted is that, anyway? That this virus thing coincides with allergy season? The other day, I sneezed three times in a row, at work. I thought everyone was going to panic and make me go home.

I’m better this morning, though, and there was never any fever. I also had some mild to moderate nausea at bedtime. I think it was a combination of stuff that I ate for dinner. I won’t go into detail on that. It was probably a bad combination of things. And it’s also possible that the mayo is “sketchy.”

This morning, The Church at Brandon and Kristin’s House will be meeting on Zoom. As mentioned last week, we discovered, all too late, that Google Hangouts will only allow ten logins per session, so there were some who could not get on. But one of us is a teacher, and the teachers all have a Zoom account to use for school. So we are going to use that. If that turns out to be unethical, I’m willing to foot the bill for a Zoom account for the church. It’s only $15 a month. And hopefully we won’t need it for too many months.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God.
(Psalms 146:5)

Today I am grateful:
1. That my hope is in the Lord my God
2. For the occasional rebuke (and encouragement) from the righteous (Psalm 141.5)
3. That I am singing to You, because You have dealt bountifully with me (Psalm 13.6)
4. That You are near, all the time
5. That “this, too, shall pass” (Psalm 42.5)

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
(Psalms 141:3-5)

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
(Psalms 115:1)

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
(Psalms 19:14)

And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.
(Luke 18:31-34)

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.
(Psalms 13:1-6)

“Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
(The Divine Hours, The Prayer Appointed for the Week)

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
(John 15:5-8)

“As we remain in Jesus and let His words dwell in us, we’re wired to our life source–Christ Himself. ‘This is to my Father’s glory,’ said Jesus, ‘that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples’ (v. 8).”
(Patricia Raybon, Our Daily Bread)

He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen.
(Deuteronomy 10:21)

But you are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true.
(Psalms 119:151)

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
(Psalms 145:18)

Have you ever spent an hour looking for your phone, only to discover it was in your hand the whole time? Or lost your glasses, only to find that they are propped up on top of your head (or hanging around your neck on a chain)? These are amusing pictures. But think about our God, for a minute. How often do we search here and there, “hither and yon,” for the Lord? Then we find out that He was right there with us the whole time! He is near, always near.

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
(Psalms 42:1-5)

The psalmist’s belief in God is not suffering. However, he misses the experience of meeting with God (v. 2). “Human beings need the sense of God’s presence and love as much as the body pants after water (verse 1).” And, as we are finding out in these times, human beings need the presence of one another, as well. “Meeting” over an Internet app is a “Band-Aid.” It helps. But it’s not the same. I’m not suffering as much as some folks, because I am still going to work. So I have some human interaction during the day, but touching is off limits. No handshakes, no high fives, no hugs, even fist-bumps are “sketchy.” A few of us bump elbows sometimes. I’m not likely to touch my face with my elbow. In fact, I can’t. I’ve tried.

The psalmist, however, finds some encouragement in verse 5. It’s his version of “This, too, shall pass.” And that “is a fact about any condition in this changeful world. . . . Though our good things will inevitably be shaken, a believer’s difficult times will always end as well.”

“Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

“Prayer: Lord, I praise you for being not just a remote, nebulous force but a living, personal God who can be known. I need your presence and love to sometimes soften my hard heart, strengthen my fainting heart, and humble my proud heart. Amen.”

Father, I rejoice in the truth that “this, too, shall pass.” In the words of the popular song, based on Psalm 42, “You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship Thee.” I long to worship You, again, in the presence of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Zoom is not enough. It will have to do, for now, but I long for the handshakes and the hugs (especially the hugs). Have mercy, O Lord. Let Your lovingkindness flow through us, this morning.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Grace and peace, friends.

Father, Forgive Them

March 28, 2020 Jeff

Today is Saturday, March 28, 2020, in the fourth week of Lent. Peace be with you.

Day 22,661

Fifteen days until Easter

We have some coronavirus cases that are a little close to home. Kristin (the “Kristin” of The Church at Brandon and Kristin’s), has a cousin whose wife’s grandfather is about to pass away from the virus. The grandmother is also showing symptoms. In addition, that cousin will not have a job after this week, and they have a baby on the way. Also, Kristin’s sister has a coworker whose brother-in-law has it, and they had had recent contact with him. Her baby came down with a fever a couple days ago. Another previous member of The Exchange has a coworker who came down with 102 fever, severe cough and fatigue. But they won’t test her because she isn’t having trouble breathing.

There is some good news in the midst of all of this. Our other worship leader’s wife has a friend whose 21-year-old daughter came down with the virus. But she appears to be recovering. She still has the cough, but the fever is gone.

At this point, there have been no symptoms in this house. I have occasional soreness in my throat, but that comes and goes. I have “sniffles” now and then, but I’m also an allergy sufferer, and “’tis the season.”

Our ex-pastor wrote a blog entry. I would like for you to read it. As usual, his writing contains some very deep thoughts. It’s called “Abide.”

I also found this article from The Atlantic, “How the Pandemic Will End.” I’ll warn you, though. It’s a bit terrifying.

Today, nothing happens. Sure, we will take trash out and stuff like that. Oh, I might attend the WW virtual workshop at 10:30. But we can’t really go anywhere. I put fuel in the car yesterday evening on the way home from work. We placed a grocery order last night, but we’re having it delivered. The earliest day to get it delivered is Monday. But that’s okay, because we have enough food in the house, and C is working from home, so she will be here to accept the delivery Monday. We will wait and see how many of the items we picked aren’t available when the shopper begins picking the order. The only thing I’m expecting to be possibly out is the paper towels.

Speaking of WW (formerly Weight Watchers), I have lost around 18 pounds since we started attending WW workshops, and over 25 pounds in the last two months. My fasting glucose levels were regularly hitting below 90, so I sent a note to the doctor, and they told me to stop taking one of my meds. Naturally, the readings have increased slightly, but I’ll keep an eye on them and report back to the doctor in a week or so.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!
(Psalms 57:8)

Today I am grateful:
1. For the weekend to rest for the coming work week
2. That I still have a job to go to (I get it . . . there are risks involved, but I’m still getting a paycheck, and my job is not one that will be able to work from home)
3. That we can cast all our cares on You, because You care for us (1 Peter 5.7)
4. That “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13.7)
5. That we can forgive as we are forgiven

“O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon [us].
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon [us].
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, grant [us] your peace.”
(Agnus Dei)

“For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.”
(Glory to God #1)

Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
(Psalms 31:5)

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
(Mark 8:31-33)

In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man. For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you. I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.
(Psalms 71:1-9)

“Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
(The Divine Hours, The Prayer Appointed for the Week)

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
(1 Peter 5:7)

Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.” Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.” So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it.
(2 Kings 6:1-7)

“God cares about the small stuff of life—lost axheads, lost keys, lost glasses, lost phones—the little things that cause us to fret. He doesn’t always restore what’s lost, but He understands and comforts us in our distress.

“Next to the assurance of our salvation, the assurance of God’s care is essential. Without it we would feel alone in the world, exposed to innumerable worries. It’s good to know He cares and is moved by our losses—small as they may be. Our concerns are His concerns.”
(David H. Roper, Our Daily Bread)

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
(Philippians 4:11)

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
(Romans 12:12)

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:7)

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. But may you have mercy on me, LORD; raise me up, that I may repay them. I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.
(Psalms 41:9-13 NIV)

This is an interesting passage, and the written devotional reading is also interesting. It speaks of David’s call to God to raise him up so that he may repay the one who has turned against him. He also speaks of God upholding him because of his integrity. I struggle with this, personally. What I struggle with is a guy who essentially raped a woman, then murdered her husband, talking about his own “integrity.”

But, in the bigger picture, that’s not what this reading is about. We fast forward a few centuries to Jesus on the cross, faced with several who have betrayed Him and harmed Him. Earlier in the book of John, He applied some words from this psalm to Himself. “‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.'” He said (John 13.18). But then, while on the cross, He uttered these famous words: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23.34)

And that is how we should respond to those who betray us.

“Prayer: Father, there are persons who wronged me in the past whom, I realize, I have not fully forgiven. I hold their actions against them. I avoid them or I’m unusually hard on them. Let your costly grace to me through Jesus Christ so melt my icy heart that I can forgive fully and freely. Amen.”

Father, I don’t know of anyone, right this moment, that I have not forgiven. But there are people in my life whom I may not like very much because of actions in the past (or even present). Help me to love those people they way You have loved me, fully and freely. Help me to treat them the way You treat me, and the way that I would have them treat me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

“As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.” Job 5.8-9

Grace and peace, friends.

If You Can’t Say Something Good . . .

March 27, 2020 Jeff2 Comments

Today is Friday, Marcy 27, 2020, in the fourth week of Lent. Peace be with you.

Day 22,660

Sixteen days until Resurrection Sunday.

There’s a lot going through my head, this morning. Unfortunately, not much of it is coherent enough to come out through my fingers. So I’ll leave it at that. We have a birthday coming up Sunday, but we won’t be able to celebrate it. Our oldest daughter, R, was born on March 29. I guess a celebratory phone call will have to suffice. We have gifts for her, but I don’t know if we will be able to get them to her. I guess we could mail them, but they won’t get there by Sunday.

Does anyone else feel like we are in a Science Fiction movie?

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
(Psalms 100:3)

Today I am grateful:
1. To be part of the sheep of Your pasture
2. That You are the strength of Your people and our saving refuge (Psalm 28.8)
3. That with You, “all things are possible” (Matthew 19.26)
4. That You can help us control our tongues
5. That You are still in control

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.
(Psalms 5:8)

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD.
(Psalms 118:26)

Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.
(Psalms 69:6)

And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”
(Luke 5:33-35)

Of David. To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary. Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts. Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward. Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more. Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
(Psalms 28:1-9)

“Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.”
(The Divine Hours, The Concluding Prayer of the Church)

What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!
(Psalms 116:12-19)

“God treasures the death of His people, for in their passing He welcomes them home. . . . When our trust is in God, our departure from this life is precious in His sight.
(Remi Oyedele, Our Daily Bread)

“Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.”
(Isaiah 7:11)

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
(Matthew 19:26)

When I was much younger, and going through a very difficult time in my life, I was spending some time at my grandparents’ homes out in east Texas. One morning, I was in front of Grandmother and Granddaddy’s house, where there used to be an old swing set. In desperation, I cried out to God, “Am I really Your child?” He answered. Oh, how he answered. I suddenly received the greatest outpouring of God’s love that I have ever experienced in my life, even to this day. And I get chill bumps, even now, as I write about it. It was like I got a huge hug from God. He felt so close to me.

I looked down on the ground, and there, right at my feet, was a most beautiful blue jay feather. I still have that feather. Doubts still arise, just as they do with anyone. But whenever they do, I immediately look back to that day and shove them aside. “We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

(From The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy and Kathy Keller)

My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?” When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around. All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, “A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies.”
(Psalms 41:5-8)

The Kellers associate these verses with the sin of gossip. Gossip is not just spreading untruths about someone. The things we say might be completely true. But it may be information that should have been kept confidential.

It seems that David is speaking of enemies who come to visit him while he is sick, “only to spread news that puts him in the worst possible light.” Sometimes, gossip is telling the truth in a way that makes someone look bad. “it is giving news about a person intended to lower him or her in the regard of the listener.” And while we might think gossip is harmless, “the New Testament lists it along with envy, murder, strife, and hating God (Romans 1:28-30).”

“Prayer: Lord, I pass along a bad report about someone because it makes me look better than they are. Lord, you lost your reputation in order to give me an everlasting name. How can I hurt the good name of anyone else? Forgive me and help me. Amen.”

Father, we seem to be in a time of unprecedented gossip-spreading. May we, Your children, the sheep of Your pasture, refrain from spreading gossip, whether true or false, about anyone. May we remember the old saying, “If you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all.”
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Here’s an old song by Second Chapter of Acts. “That’s Not Nice To Say”

Grace and peace, friends.