Living with Integrity

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
Increased Faith

Psalm 101  The Message

A David Psalm

101 ^1-8 My theme song is God’s love and justice,
    and I’m singing it right to you, God.
I’m finding my way down the road of right living,
    but how long before you show up?
I’m doing the very best I can,
    and I’m doing it at home, where it counts.
I refuse to take a second look
    at corrupting people and degrading things.
I reject made-in-Canaan gods,
    stay clear of contamination.
The crooked in heart keep their distance;
    I refuse to shake hands with those who plan evil.
I put a gag on the gossip
    who bad-mouths his neighbor;
I can’t stand
    arrogance.
But I have my eye on salt-of-the-earth people—
    they’re the ones I want working with me;
Men and women on the straight and narrow—
    these are the ones I want at my side.
But no one who traffics in lies
    gets a job with me; I have no patience with liars.
I’ve rounded up all the wicked like cattle
    and herded them right out of the country.
I purged God’s city
    of all who make a business of evil.

For Reflection

Take David's song to heart.  Live with integrity.  Insulate yourself from life's seductions, armored with the cloak of Jesus.  Live in the City of God.

Pray

That you will be able to avoid unrighteous acts.  Pray that you will endeavor to become all that God wants you to become.  Pray for the wisdom that can only come by walking arm in arm with God.

Saved by God's Faifulness

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
Increased Faith

Jeremiah 23:33-24:6  The Message

³³ “And anyone, including prophets and priests, who asks, ‘What’s God got to say about all this, what’s troubling him?’ tell him, ‘You, you’re the trouble, and I’m getting rid of you.’” God’s Decree.

Two Baskets of Figs

24 ^1-2 God showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the Temple of God. This was after Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem into exile in Babylon, along with the leaders of Judah, the craftsmen, and the skilled laborers. In one basket the figs were of the finest quality, ripe and ready to eat. In the other basket the figs were rotten, so rotten they couldn’t be eaten.

³ God said to me, “Jeremiah, what do you see?”
“Figs,” I said. “Excellent figs of the finest quality, and also rotten figs, so rotten they can’t be eaten.”
^4-6 Then God told me, “This is the Message from the God of Israel: The exiles from here that I’ve sent off to the land of the Babylonians are like the good figs, and I’ll make sure they get good treatment. I’ll keep my eye on them so that their lives are good, and I’ll bring them back to this land. I’ll build them up, not tear them down; I’ll plant them, not uproot them.

For Reflection

You are endowed with the gift of creativity.  You can choose to be creative and build up or destructive and tear down.  Which do you choose?  God hopes you will create conditions which bear fruit.

Pray

that you will be obedient to God's will for a joyful satisfying life in the Kingdom.  Pray for the wisdom to be creative.  Pray that you will avoid being seduced by other's destructive behavior.

Helped by God's Faithfulness

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
Increased Faith

Psalm 121  The Message

A Pilgrim Song

121 ^1-2 I look up to the mountains;
    does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
    who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

^3-4 He won’t let you stumble,
    your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel’s
    Guardian will never doze or sleep.

^5-6 God’s your Guardian,
    right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
    sheltering you from moonstroke.

^7-8 God guards you from every evil,
    he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
    he guards you now, he guards you always.

For Reflection

Whatever gift you have, whatever strengths you have, what ever success you have, whatever disappointments you have endured, God has been by your side, comforting and paving the way with hope.

Pray

Pray often.  Pray unceasingly about everything.  Pray so that you will know God intimately.

Fed by God's Faithfulness

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
Increased Faith

Deuteronomy 2:4-6  The Message

^2-6 Then God said, “You’ve been going around in circles in these hills long enough; go north. Command the people, You’re about to cut through the land belonging to your relatives, the People of Esau who settled in Seir. They are terrified of you, but restrain yourselves. Don’t try and start a fight. I am not giving you so much as a square inch of their land. I’ve already given all the hill country of Seir to Esau—he owns it all. Pay them up front for any food or water you get from them.”

For Reflection

God has unreasonable radical faith in us.  It is right that we should return that trust to God.  Be humble, fair, just and compassionate in your walk with God.  God will provide.  Trust in God.

Pray

that you will do as God asks.  Pray that you will have the courage to face whatever life brings with a fearless confidence in the hope that God will make all things good and right.

Kept by God's Faithfulness

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
Increased Faith

Genesis 28:13-17 The Message

^13-15 Then God was right before him, saying, “I am God, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. I’m giving the ground on which you are sleeping to you and to your descendants. Your descendants will be as the dust of the Earth; they’ll stretch from west to east and from north to south. All the families of the Earth will bless themselves in you and your descendants. Yes. I’ll stay with you, I’ll protect you wherever you go, and I’ll bring you back to this very ground. I’ll stick with you until I’ve done everything I promised you.”
^16-17 Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said, “God is in this place—truly. And I didn’t even know it!” He was terrified. He whispered in awe, “Incredible. Wonderful. Holy. This is God’s House. This is the Gate of Heaven.”

For Reflection

And so it begins.  God's promises made known to Abraham.  Abraham was always under God's care. But now, not only does Abraham have knowledge of God, but he also has had an encounter with God and survived!  A promise given, a covenant made, and Abraham will not disappoint God.

Know now that this covenant is also extended to you and renewed by the Christ event.

Pray

prayers of thanksgiving and praise for the living God whose promise of long ago has been extended to you. Pray that you, like Abraham will be obedient to God's will.

Journeying from Family

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
A Family Reunion

Acts 20:17-24 The Message

On to Jerusalem

^17-21 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the leaders of the congregation. When they arrived, he said, “You know that from day one of my arrival in Asia I was with you totally—laying my life on the line, serving the Master no matter what, putting up with no end of scheming by Jews who wanted to do me in. I didn’t skimp or trim in any way. Every truth and encouragement that could have made a difference to you, you got. I taught you out in public and I taught you in your homes, urging Jews and Greeks alike to a radical life-change before God and an equally radical trust in our Master Jesus.

^22-24 “But there is another urgency before me now. I feel compelled to go to Jerusalem. I’m completely in the dark about what will happen when I get there. I do know that it won’t be any picnic, for the Holy Spirit has let me know repeatedly and clearly that there are hard times and imprisonment ahead. But that matters little. What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God.

For Reflection 

Paul puts his action where his mouth is.  He is willing to face adversity with dread, but with an overriding eagerness to follow God's call. 

Not only Paul faced death in obedience to God's call.  Christians were attractive not only because of the joyous life they lead in Christian fellowship, but also, because of the service they preformed for the poor and sick.  Each time they served those burdened with disease, they were exposed, succumbing to the illnesses of those whom they served.  So, many died in obedience to God.  This was indeed a radical life change that required radical trust.  To the early Christian, conversion was not motivated by what favor God would bestow, but rather, what they can do for God.  In being reborn into the service of God, the early Christians achieved atonement, and a fearless lust for a righteous life.

Pray

that you will find in God a fearless lust for a righteous life.  Pray for courage to follow the Way.  Pray for radical trust in the promise of God.

Eternal Family

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
A Family Reunion

Romans 5:12-21  The Message

The Death-Dealing Sin, the Life-Giving Gift

^12-14 You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we’re in—first sin, then death, and no one exempt from either sin or death. That sin disturbed relations with God in everything and everyone, but the extent of the disturbance was not clear until God spelled it out in detail to Moses. So death, this huge abyss separating us from God, dominated the landscape from Adam to Moses. Even those who didn’t sin precisely as Adam did by disobeying a specific command of God still had to experience this termination of life, this separation from God. But Adam, who got us into this, also points ahead to the One who will get us out of it.

^15-17 Yet the rescuing gift is not exactly parallel to the death-dealing sin. If one man’s sin put crowds of people at the dead-end abyss of separation from God, just think what God’s gift poured through one man, Jesus Christ, will do! There’s no comparison between that death-dealing sin and this generous, life-giving gift. The verdict on that one sin was the death sentence; the verdict on the many sins that followed was this wonderful life sentence. If death got the upper hand through one man’s wrongdoing, can you imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, sovereign life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life-gift, this grand setting-everything-right, that the one man Jesus Christ provides?
^18-19 Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.
^20-21 All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.

For Reflection 

The result of sin is the separation us of from God, a termination of the life God intends us to enjoy.  The way to return to God is shown in the life of Jesus who was so radically obedient to God that he gave up his life in service to the Father.  Thus God, through God's son, gives us an extravagant gift, a holy reconciliation, forgiveness, and a promise without strings.  God gives us the choice to start all over.  God gives us a chance to live the life God intended for us.  Sin offers death.  God offers life.  It is yours to choose.

Pray

for the wisdom to give up yourself to God.  Pray for the courage to live in obedience to God.  Pray prayers of praise and thanksgiving for the path of Grace shown in the sacrificial Jesus.

The Generosity of God

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
A Family Reunion

2 Corinthians 9:6-11  The Message

^6-7 Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
^8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,
    giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
    never run out, never wear out.

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

For Reflection 

What is the only thing that only you possess?  Think about it.  Isn't the only thing that you have that no one else can possibly possess is your SELF !   

 

The paradox of living a life in the Kingdom of God is that in order to discover who you truly are you must loose your own sense of self and discover your true God Self.  In part, this is what it means to be born again, giving up on self-determination and giving into obedience to God.  God has created a unique you, the individual God intends for you to be is locked into your essence.  Giving your self to God allows you to discover God's plan for you. 

Pray

that you will be obedient to the will of God.  Pray that you will be able to deny your self driven motivations for God driven motivations.

Called into Family

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
A Family Reunion

2 Timothy 1:3-10  The Message

To Be Bold with God’s Gifts

^3-4 Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all the time—I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion.

^5-7 That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.
^8-10 So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.

For Reflection 

We are called by God not only into a life of individual salvation, but also, into a community of faithful.  We are not independent from our culture or the Kingdom into which we are called.  This Kingdom is a family, the Household of God.  As such, we share our blessings and our sufferings with God and with each other.  Our faith is bolstered by our common call, scripture, prayer and the fellowship of each other. 

Pray

that you will be a faithful participant in the Kingdom of God.  Pray for the wisdom to sustain your commitment to the community of the faithful.  Pray that your witness to the resurrection of Christ will be an anchor of faith that supports others and invites all to the Lord's table.

The Father's Gift

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
A Family Reunion

Matthew 7:7-12  The Message

^7-11 “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
¹² “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.

For Reflection 

Although we have plenty of requests for things that we would like to have granted, we are stumped when what we ask for does not seem to be granted.  God knows that sometimes what we ask for is not in our or the Kingdom's best interest.  The heart of the matter is God gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want. 

It isn't a bad thing to ask God for favor.  All prayer brings you closer to a right relationship with God.  Ask to be relieved from debt and you will find opportunities to accomplish that goal.  God is not a genie in a bottle who fulfills every self-indulging desire.  God will help you live a righteous fulfilling life.  God will place good things in your path.  Pray and listen for the God whispered responses.

Pray

pray, taking all things to God.  Pray with out reservations.  Pray for God's intention for your life to be fulfilled in obedience to God's holy place for you.

Strength for Faithful Living

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
Increased Faith

Luke 21:33-38  he Message

^29-33 He told them a story. “Look at a fig tree. Any tree for that matter. When the leaves begin to show, one look tells you that summer is right around the corner. The same here—when you see these things happen, you know God’s kingdom is about here. Don’t brush this off: I’m not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.
^34-36 “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.”
^37-38 He spent his days in the Temple teaching, but his nights out on the mountain called Olives. All the people were up at the crack of dawn to come to the Temple and listen to him.

For Reflection 

Expect to see God in action all the time and everywhere.  Look for the opportunities to serve which God places in your path and accept the challenge, knowing God will support you.

Pray

"Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.”

Living with Integrity

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
Increased Faith

Psalm 101  The Message

A David Psalm

101 ^1-8 My theme song is God’s love and justice,
    and I’m singing it right to you, God.
I’m finding my way down the road of right living,
    but how long before you show up?
I’m doing the very best I can,
    and I’m doing it at home, where it counts.
I refuse to take a second look
    at corrupting people and degrading things.
I reject made-in-Canaan gods,
    stay clear of contamination.
The crooked in heart keep their distance;
    I refuse to shake hands with those who plan evil.
I put a gag on the gossip
    who bad-mouths his neighbor;
I can’t stand
    arrogance.
But I have my eye on salt-of-the-earth people—
    they’re the ones I want working with me;
Men and women on the straight and narrow—
    these are the ones I want at my side.
But no one who traffics in lies
    gets a job with me; I have no patience with liars.
I’ve rounded up all the wicked like cattle
    and herded them right out of the country.
I purged God’s city
    of all who make a business of evil.

For Reflection 

With whom do you associate? Have you armored yourself against the corrupting influence of the ungodly acts of others?  Are you cognizant of God's presence in you?  Can you tell the difference between God-centered living and living by the expectations of the common culture?  David seems to have it right.  But, he, too, will falter.

Pray

to become intimately associated with God.  Pray that you will seek God's wisdom and avoid the seductions of the common culture. Pray to be cloaked in the grace of God.

Saved by God's Faithfulness

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
Increased Faith

Jeremiah 24:6  The Message

^4-6 Then God told me, “This is the Message from the God of Israel: The exiles from here that I’ve sent off to the land of the Babylonians are like the good figs, and I’ll make sure they get good treatment. I’ll keep my eye on them so that their lives are good, and I’ll bring them back to this land. I’ll build them up, not tear them down; I’ll plant them, not uproot them.

For Reflection 

Our God is a faithful God.  God will not let you down.  God will comfort you.  God will counsel you. God will protect you.  God will look on you with compassion and forgive you.  You are God's child.  God will trust you.

Pray

that you will strive to be worthy of God's grace.  Thank God for God's guidance, comfort, protection and grace.

Fed by God's Faithfulness

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
Increased Faith

Deuteronomy 2:4-8  The Message

^2-6 Then God said, “You’ve been going around in circles in these hills long enough; go north. Command the people, You’re about to cut through the land belonging to your relatives, the People of Esau who settled in Seir. They are terrified of you, but restrain yourselves. Don’t try and start a fight. I am not giving you so much as a square inch of their land. I’ve already given all the hill country of Seir to Esau—he owns it all. Pay them up front for any food or water you get from them.”

⁷ God, your God, has blessed you in everything you have done. He has guarded you in your travels through this immense wilderness. For forty years now, God, your God, has been right here with you. You haven’t lacked one thing.
⁸ So we detoured around our brothers, the People of Esau who live in Seir, avoiding the Arabah Road that comes up from Elath and Ezion Geber; instead we used the road through the Wilderness of Moab.

For Reflection

 

God has made us all stronger for believing in and being obedient to God.  If you have been acting as a child of God, your strength to seek justice, forgiveness and compassion will be well known.  Some will fear you but not be motivated to attack.  It would be seductive to puff yourself up by taking advantage of this fear.  However, such behavior is neither Godly nor to your advantage.  God is a merciful God an so should you be kind, compassionate, humble and forgiving.

Pray

that you will walk with God, witnessing to God's gifts to you.  Pray so that you are in God and God in you, then you have nothing to fear or prove.

Kept by God's Faithfulness

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
Increased Faith

Genesis 28:13-17  The Message

^13-15 Then God was right before him, saying, “I am God, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. I’m giving the ground on which you are sleeping to you and to your descendants. Your descendants will be as the dust of the Earth; they’ll stretch from west to east and from north to south. All the families of the Earth will bless themselves in you and your descendants. Yes. I’ll stay with you, I’ll protect you wherever you go, and I’ll bring you back to this very ground. I’ll stick with you until I’ve done everything I promised you.”
^16-17 Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said, “God is in this place—truly. And I didn’t even know it!” He was terrified. He whispered in awe, “Incredible. Wonderful. Holy. This is God’s House. This is the Gate of Heaven.”

For Reflection 

God is everywhere.  God demonstrates many times that God is found in unexpected places.  You may find God in a discussion with a person next to you on an airplane, or waiting for a bus, or in a bar, on a hike, or on a street corner: anywhere and everywhere.  No matter where you are, you can maintain our discourse with God.  Where ever you are, you are in God's house.

Pray

that you will be prepared to meet and witness to God during the most unexpected times and in the most unexpected places.  Pray for the courage and wisdom to bring God's comfort, compassion, forgiveness and justice to be known and experienced by all whom you meet.

Trust without Shame

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
A Reversal of Shame

2 Timothy 1:8-14  The Message

^8-10 So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.
^11-12 This is the Message I’ve been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It’s also the cause of all this trouble I’m in. But I have no regrets. I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end.
^13-14 So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.

For Reflection 

Sometimes the pressure to conform to contemporary culture is quite strong.  We may be tempted to not speak out against willful transgressions or injustices.  We may not be willing to forgive.  We may not want to expose ourselves to criticisms of weakness, naivete, or lack of reason.  We may be pressured to go along to get along.  These are the times we need to turn to God and find creative ways dealing with the circumstance.

Pray

that you will consult the Lord for guidance and support.  Pray that you will find ways to speak up for justice, compassion, and forgiveness.

Triumphant Trust

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
A Reversal of Shame

Psalm 54  The Message

A David Psalm, When the Ziphites Reported to Saul, “David Is Hiding Out with Us”

54 ^1-2 God, for your sake, help me!
    Use your influence to clear me.
Listen, God—I’m desperate.
    Don’t be too busy to hear me.

³ Outlaws are out to get me,
    hit men are trying to kill me.
Nothing will stop them;
    God means nothing to them.

^4-5 Oh, look! God’s right here helping!
    God’s on my side,
Evil is looping back on my enemies.
    Don’t let up! Finish them off!

^6-7 I’m ready now to worship, so ready.
    I thank you, God—you’re so good.
You got me out of every scrape,
    and I saw my enemies get it.

 

For Reflection 

Goodness yields Goodness.   Evil yields evil.  It is God's way.  Look for the hand of God in those who comfort the discomforted, forgive the unforgivable, and reconcile the irreconcilable.  God is not the Holy Gotcha!  God supports only goodness and lets evil become swallowed up in its one evilness.

Pray

for a fearless approach to life.  Pray for and act in support the righteous and leave God deal with the rest.  Pray for the unrighteous.

Fulfilled Trust

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
A Reversal of Shame

2 Samuel 7:8-16  The Message

^8-11 “So here is what you are to tell my servant David: The God-of-the-Angel-Armies has this word for you: I took you from the pasture, tagging along after sheep, and made you prince over my people Israel. I was with you everywhere you went and mowed your enemies down before you. Now I’m making you famous, to be ranked with the great names on earth. And I’m going to set aside a place for my people Israel and plant them there so they’ll have their own home and not be knocked around any more. Nor will evil men afflict you as they always have, even during the days I set judges over my people Israel. Finally, I’m going to give you peace from all your enemies.
^11-16 “Furthermore, God has this message for you: God himself will build you a house! When your life is complete and you’re buried with your ancestors, then I’ll raise up your child, your own flesh and blood, to succeed you, and I’ll firmly establish his rule. He will build a house to honor me, and I will guarantee his kingdom’s rule permanently. I’ll be a father to him, and he’ll be a son to me. When he does wrong, I’ll discipline him in the usual ways, the pitfalls and obstacles of this mortal life. But I’ll never remove my gracious love from him, as I removed it from Saul, who preceded you and whom I most certainly did remove. Your family and your kingdom are permanently secured. I’m keeping my eye on them! And your royal throne will always be there, rock solid.”

For Reflection 

"These promises God faithfully performed to David and his seed in due time. Though David came short of making good his purpose to build God a house, yet God did not come short of making good his promise to build him a house. Such is the tenor of the covenant we are under; though there are many failures in our performances, there are none in God’s."  Matthew Henry's commentary. 

Even though we fail in keeping our side of the bargain, God always keeps God's promise, even the one from the time of David.  Trust in the Lord, you will never be disappointed.

Pray

that you will trust God's promise.  Pray for the confidence that enables you to act on that trust.  Listen for God whispers to guide your life.

Prevailing Trust

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
A Reversal of Shame

Psalm 13  The Message

A David Psalm

13 ^1-2 Long enough, God—
    you’ve ignored me long enough.
I’ve looked at the back of your head
    long enough. Long enough
I’ve carried this ton of trouble,
    lived with a stomach full of pain.
Long enough my arrogant enemies
    have looked down their noses at me.

^3-4 Take a good look at me, God, my God;
    I want to look life in the eye,
So no enemy can get the best of me
    or laugh when I fall on my face.

^5-6 I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms—
    I’m celebrating your rescue.
I’m singing at the top of my lungs,
    I’m so full of answered prayers.

For Reflection 

When is it that a person makes a second order change, a change in his life so profound that it changes the soul of his being?  For most, it is the time when one is most frustrated, hopeless, when nothing he or she has done has resulted in satisfaction.  It is the time of giving up.   It is the time when one embraces the darkness.  It is the time when one reaches beyond him or her self for salvation.

To whom do you cling when life seems perilous?  To whom do you turn when nothing you have done has resolved the agony which has taken residence in you?  In whom can you place your trust?

The great Biblical paradox is that only when you lose your life can your find it.  When you give up completely you find the hope to resurrect you.  The message of the Gospel is that Christ died so that you might find life in being the person God intends you to be.  Living is not waiting for God to magically change you life, but rather,  your life changes by living the life God intends for you.  Lose yourself in God's will and you will find opportunities for compassion, forgiveness, justice and peace in service to the living God.

Pray

that you will listen for God's call.  Pray that you will give your life over to the Holy Spirit.  Pray that you will grow into the person who sacrifices one's self for the love of God and God's love for human kind., Pray that you will give yourself over to the transformational power in service to God.

Israel's Salvation

The Gift of Faith
Restorative Faith
A Reversal of Shame

Exodus 14:30-15:8  The Message

^29-31 But the Israelites walked right through the middle of the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall to the right and to the left. God delivered Israel that day from the oppression of the Egyptians. And Israel looked at the Egyptian dead, washed up on the shore of the sea, and realized the tremendous power that God brought against the Egyptians. The people were in reverent awe before God and trusted in God and his servant Moses.

15 ^1-8 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to God, giving voice together,

I’m singing my heart out to God—what a victory!
    He pitched horse and rider into the sea.
God is my strength, God is my song,
    and, yes! God is my salvation.
This is the kind of God I have
    and I’m telling the world!
This is the God of my father—
    I’m spreading the news far and wide!
God is a fighter,
    pure God, through and through.
Pharaoh’s chariots and army
    he dumped in the sea,
The elite of his officers
    he drowned in the Red Sea.
Wild ocean waters poured over them;
    they sank like a rock in the deep blue sea.
Your strong right hand, God, shimmers with power;
    your strong right hand shatters the enemy.
In your mighty majesty
    you smash your upstart enemies,
You let loose your hot anger
    and burn them to a crisp.
At a blast from your nostrils
    the waters piled up;
Tumbling streams dammed up,
    wild oceans curdled into a swamp.

 

For Reflection 

What does salvation mean to you?  To the Israelites it meant physical relief from the torment of life.  God initiated the Exodus, Gave them a strong civic and spiritual leader, paved the way and protected them on their journey.  It was their opportunity to live as God had intend them to live.  It was their opportunity to witness to the power and grace of God.

We often think of salvation as spiritual, a reward for good behavior, or a ticket into God's presence after death.  Think on the other possible ways you could experience salvation in the here and now.

Pray

thanking God for God's never ending mercy and compassion.  Pray so that you will live in the grace of God.  Pray so that you will become saved from the seductions of everyday life.  Pray so that you become the human God has intended you to become.