Justified by Faith

Faith in Action

Self-controlled, Upright and Godly Faith

Faith Without Works is Dead

Romans 3:21-31The Message

God Has Set Things Right

21-24 But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.
25-26 God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public—to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. This is not only clear, but it’s now—this is current history! God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness.
27-28 So where does that leave our proud Jewish insider claims and counterclaims? Canceled? Yes, canceled. What we’ve learned is this: God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We’ve finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade.
29-30 And where does that leave our proud Jewish claim of having a corner on God? Also canceled. God is the God of outsider non-Jews as well as insider Jews. How could it be otherwise since there is only one God? God sets right all who welcome his action and enter into it, both those who follow our religious system and those who have never heard of our religion.
31 But by shifting our focus from what we do to what God does, don’t we cancel out all our careful keeping of the rules and ways God commanded? Not at all. What happens, in fact, is that by putting that entire way of life in its proper place, we confirm it.

For Reflection

In times before we knew Jesus, God addressed us as a community. In these last days, God addresses us individually.  In Christ, God has shown our responsibility to grow into the persons God intends us to be. The responsibility shifts from what God will do for us to what we will do in response to God. The corporate rules have not changed. We now have the freedom to apply those rules compassionately.  Yesterdays transgressions are not only forgiven but also erased from the journals of time -- yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Pray

Pray that your action is animated by your love of God and your freedom to choose righteousness.

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The Royal Law

Faith in Action

Self-controlled, Upright and Godly Faith

Faith Without Works is Dead

Leviticus 19:13-18The Message (MSG)

13 “Don’t exploit your friend or rob him.
“Don’t hold back the wages of a hired hand overnight.
14 “Don’t curse the deaf; don’t put a stumbling block in front of the blind; fear your God. I am God.
15 “Don’t pervert justice. Don’t show favoritism to either the poor or the great. Judge on the basis of what is right.
16 “Don’t spread gossip and rumors.
“Don’t just stand by when your neighbor’s life is in danger. I am God.
17 “Don’t secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise, you are an accomplice in his guilt.
18 “Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people.
“Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.

For Reflection

This passage is sure jammed full of "don'ts."  I suppose the "dos" are up to us. If you don't exploit you assist, instead of withholding you give, obstruct/encourage, promote injustice/seek justice, gossip/observe quietly, complicit silence/witness honestly, hate/love, revenge/forgive. 

Pray

Pray that you will find creative ways to act righteously and be a powerful witness to the word of God.

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Fulfilling the Law

Faith in Action

Self-controlled, Upright and Godly Faith

Faith Without Works is Dead

James 2:8-13 The Message

8-11 You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: “Love others as you love yourself.” But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can’t pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God’s law and ignoring others. The same God who said, “Don’t commit adultery,” also said, “Don’t murder.” If you don’t commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you’re a murderer, period.
12-13 Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.

For Reflection

Some believe that the New Testament tenents supersede those of the Old Testament. James understands the interrelatedness of the Mosaic laws and the New Testament interpretations.  The old law applies. The new rule sets us free to be loyal to the intent of the law as well as the letter of the law.  Further, it gives us the freedom to act compassionately in love. 

Pray

Pray that you will act compassionately to all people. Pray that what you say and do harms no one, but instead, lifts them up to a greater good.

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Time of the End

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Strong Faith

Daniel 12:8-13 The Message

8 “I heard all this plainly enough, but I didn’t understand it. So I asked, ‘Master, can you explain this to me?’
9-10 “‘Go on about your business, Daniel,’ he said. ‘The message is confidential and under lock and key until the end, until things are about to be wrapped up. The populace will be washed clean and made like new. But the wicked will just keep on being wicked, without a clue about what is happening. Those who live wisely and well will understand what’s going on.’
11 “From the time that the daily worship is banished from the Temple and the obscene desecration is set up in its place; there will be 1,290 days.
12 “Blessed are those who patiently make it through the 1,335 days.
13 “And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it’s all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward.”

For Reflection

The advice that God gave to Daniel when ruling during the troubles should also be taken for those of us who understand our troubles as Daniel understood the difficulties he faced.  God's intentions for humankind will be achieved. We do not know the timing. But in the meantime, we should continue our obedience to the Word and have patience and hope.

Pray

Pray for patience in the face of the unknown. Pray for courage and obedience to God's call.

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Daniel Sees a Vision

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Strong Faith

Daniel 10:1-10 The Message

A Vision of a Big War

10 In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, a message was made plain to Daniel, whose Babylonian name was Belteshazzar. The message was true. It dealt with a big war. He understood the message, the understanding coming by revelation:
2-3 “During those days, I, Daniel, went into mourning over Jerusalem for three weeks. I ate only plain and simple food, no seasoning or meat or wine. I neither bathed nor shaved until the three weeks were up.
4-6 “On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris. I looked up and to my surprise saw a man dressed in linen with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body was hard and glistening, as if sculpted from a precious stone, his face radiant, his eyes bright and penetrating like torches, his arms and feet glistening like polished bronze, and his voice, deep and resonant, sounded like a huge choir of voices.
7-8 “I, Daniel, was the only one to see this. The men who were with me, although they didn’t see it, were overcome with fear and ran off and hid, fearing the worst. Left alone after the appearance, abandoned by my friends, I went weak in the knees, the blood drained from my face.
9-10 “I heard his voice. At the sound of it I fainted, fell flat on the ground, face in the dirt. A hand touched me and pulled me to my hands and knees.

For Reflection

The details of the predicted troubles were obscure. But Daniel clearly understood the implication. Daniel prays and fasts in an attempt to overcome Isreal's breaches of the Passover rituals. Daniel prays and fasts for the good of Israel.

Pray

Pray for the common good.  Pray for peace in times of tribulation.  Pray for the peacemakers who suffer in their roles.

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Paul's Call to Macedonia

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Strong Faith

Acts 16:6-10 The Message

6-8 They went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either. Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas.
9-10 That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.

For Reflection

Sometimes God's call is bolstered by a frustrating series of the disappointing failure of contrary personal plans.  Some who are called will continue to avert God's call by planning another contrary option.  God will persist.  God wants you to become a willing collaborator.

Pray

Pray that you will heed the call of God.  Pray that you will have the courage and trust in God to act on God's call.

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The Royal Law

Faith in Action

Self-controlled, Upright and Godly Faith

Faith Without Works is Dead

Leviticus 19:13-18The Message (MSG)

13 “Don’t exploit your friend or rob him.
“Don’t hold back the wages of a hired hand overnight.
14 “Don’t curse the deaf; don’t put a stumbling block in front of the blind; fear your God. I am God.
15 “Don’t pervert justice. Don’t show favoritism to either the poor or the great. Judge on the basis of what is right.
16 “Don’t spread gossip and rumors.
“Don’t just stand by when your neighbor’s life is in danger. I am God.
17 “Don’t secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise, you are an accomplice in his guilt.
18 “Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people.
“Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.

For Reflection

This passage is sure jammed full of "don'ts."  I suppose the "dos" are up to us. If you don't exploit you assist, instead of withholding you give, obstruct/encourage, promote injustice/seek justice, gossip/observe quietly, complicit silence/witness honestly, hate/love, revenge/forgive. 

Pray

Pray that you will find creative ways to act righteously and be a powerful witness to the word of God.

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Ezekiel's Call to Speak

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Strong Faith

Ezekiel 1:26-2:7 The Message 

25-28 And then, as they stood with folded wings, there was a voice from above the dome over their heads. Above the dome there was something that looked like a throne, sky-blue like a sapphire, with a humanlike figure towering above the throne. From what I could see, from the waist up he looked like burnished bronze and from the waist down like a blazing fire. Brightness everywhere! The way a rainbow springs out of the sky on a rainy day—that’s what it was like. It turned out to be the Glory of God!
When I saw all this, I fell to my knees, my face to the ground. Then I heard a voice.
2 It said, “Son of man, stand up. I have something to say to you.”
2 The moment I heard the voice, the Spirit entered me and put me on my feet. As he spoke to me, I listened.
3-7 He said, “Son of man, I’m sending you to the family of Israel, a rebellious nation if there ever was one. They and their ancestors have fomented rebellion right up to the present. They’re a hard case, these people to whom I’m sending you—hardened in their sin. Tell them, ‘This is the Message of God, the Master.’ They are a defiant bunch. Whether or not they listen, at least they’ll know that a prophet’s been here. But don’t be afraid of them, son of man, and don’t be afraid of anything they say. Don’t be afraid when living among them is like stepping on thorns or finding scorpions in your bed. Don’t be afraid of their mean words or their hard looks. They’re a bunch of rebels. Your job is to speak to them. Whether they listen is not your concern. They’re hardened rebels.

For Reflection

This is the first of four similar visions that would call Ezekiel to action. Again God describes Israel challenging to govern, "hardened to their sin." Perhaps we could take a lesson from God's instruction regarding the limits of Ezekiel's call. Many of us after chastening another person would be tempted to take action beyond words. God suggests that disciplining Israel is God's work, not Ezekiel's. Perhaps, when we feel compelled to speak out our task is similarly limited.  

Pray

Pray that your admonitions are made in love and the grace of forgiveness. Pray that those whose transgressions are criticized repent and become reconciled to God.

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Joshua, Be Strong and Courageous

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Strong Faith

Joshua 1:1-9 The Message

1 1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses’ assistant:
“Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I’m giving to the People of Israel. I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It’s all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”

For Reflection

Joshua, the successor to Moses, has a mighty set of sandals to fill.  He was the first to receive orders from God to maintain the laws given to Israel through Moses. God's people were a problematic lot, giving Moses a headache from time to time.  Joshua thought that he did not possess the courage or strength to rule such an unruly mob. But God exhorted Joshua to keep his sight on the realization of the Kingdom of God, meditate day and night and practice the law.  God commanded Joshua and assured his success.

Pray

Pray so that you may rest in God's assurance that your actions will always honor God.  Be grounded in the Holy Spirit you will face your challenges with strength and courage.

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Prayer and Confession

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Prayer for an Obedient Faith

Daniel 9:20-24 The Message 

20-21 “While I was pouring out my heart, baring my sins and the sins of my people Israel, praying my life out before my God, interceding for the holy mountain of my God—while I was absorbed in this praying, the humanlike Gabriel, the one I had seen in an earlier vision, approached me, flying in like a bird about the time of evening worship.
22-23 “He stood before me and said, ‘Daniel, I have come to make things plain to you. You had no sooner started your prayer when the answer was given. And now I’m here to deliver the answer to you. You are much loved! So listen carefully to the answer, the plain meaning of what is revealed:
24 “‘Seventy sevens are set for your people and for your holy city to throttle rebellion, stop sin, wipe out crime, set things right forever, confirm what the prophet saw, and anoint The Holy of Holies.

For Reflection

David looked into his soul. His God whispers came in a dream vision. From deep in the heart of David's being, God confirmed God's love for David and instructed him to righteous action.  Listen to Christ in your soul. Be guided from the center of your spiritual self.

Pray

Let your prayer be an insistence on justice for all peoples. Let your action honor God in prayer.

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Prayer of Confession for Israel's Sins

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Prayer for an Obedient Faith

Daniel 9:9-14 The Message

9-12 “‘Compassion is our only hope, the compassion of you, the Master, our God, since in our rebellion we’ve forfeited our rights. We paid no attention to you when you told us how to live, the clear teaching that came through your servants the prophets. All of us in Israel ignored what you said. We defied your instructions and did what we pleased. And now we’re paying for it: The solemn curse written out plainly in the revelation to God’s servant Moses is now doing its work among us, the wages of our sin against you. You did to us and our rulers what you said you would do: You brought this catastrophic disaster on us, the worst disaster on record—and in Jerusalem!
13-14 “‘Just as written in God’s revelation to Moses, the catastrophe was total. Nothing was held back. We kept at our sinning, never giving you a second thought, oblivious to your clear warning, and so you had no choice but to let the disaster loose on us in full force. You, our God, had a perfect right to do this since we persistently and defiantly ignored you.

For Reflection

Yes, confession is good for your soul. God knows what you have thought or said and the harms which you have initiated or in which you became complicit in your silence. You confession means that you acknowledge it, recognize its sinful nature, and accept it as a sign of your separation from a righteous path.

Deviating from living as God has intended you to live is part of our human condition. That you recognize your short-comings is essential to maturing in your faith. It is not a sign of failure so much as it is an opportunity to become more perfect in your faith.

Pray

Pray prayers of lamentation.  Confess your sins.  Do not promise to repent; repent in action worthy of your faith.  Perfect your faith by recognizing the things that will separate you from righteousness and become wiser in your choices.

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Prayer and Supplication

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Prayer for an Obedient Faith

Daniel 9:1-4 The Message
9 1-4 “Darius, son of Ahasuerus, born a Mede, became king over the land of Babylon. In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, was meditating on the Scriptures that gave, according to the Word of God to the prophet Jeremiah, the number of years that Jerusalem had to lie in ruins, namely, seventy. I turned to the Master God, asking for an answer—praying earnestly, fasting from meals, wearing rough penitential burlap, and kneeling in the ashes. I poured out my heart, baring my soul to God, my God:

For Reflection

Is prayer only a means to ask for a special favor?  Is that the prayer God wants to hear? Is taking on the form of prayer all that important?  How often have you knelt before God? Isn't it a common practice to stand in prayer? How much of your prayer life is conducted in fasting and self-denial? Does God need our praise, our thanks, our promise of obedience?
I rather think not. Our prayers are not for God's sake.  Our prayers are for our sake. Praying keeps us in tune with God.  Prayer is the time that we look deeply into our souls to seek God who resides there.  Our prayers are submission to the call of God.  Prayer recognizes the sacred core of our humanity, our souls. Prayer is the offering of our lives to the Way of Jesus Christ. In these last days, to pray is to be an agent of the Creation a co-conspirator of God.

Pray

Offer your life and love in service to others. Share your friendship. Face life directly, knowing that you have little control over circumstance. Face life courageously to support a society that fosters love and equitable opportunity to thrive. Let that be your prayer that honors God.

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A Renewed Call to Repentance

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Prayer for an Obedient Faith

Joel 1:13-20 The Message

Nothing’s Going On in the Place of Worship

13-14 And also you priests,
    put on your robes and join the outcry.
You who lead people in worship,
    lead them in lament.
Spend the night dressed in gunnysacks,
    you servants of my God.
Nothing’s going on in the place of worship,
    no offerings, no prayers—nothing.
Declare a holy fast, call a special meeting,
    get the leaders together,
Round up everyone in the country.
    Get them into God’s Sanctuary for serious prayer to God.
15-18 What a day! Doomsday!
    God’s Judgment Day has come.
The Strong God has arrived.
    This is serious business!
Food is just a memory at our tables,
    as are joy and singing from God’s Sanctuary.
The seeds in the field are dead,
    barns deserted,
Grain silos abandoned.
    Who needs them? The crops have failed!
The farm animals groan—oh, how they groan!
    The cattle mill around.
There’s nothing for them to eat.
    Not even the sheep find anything.
19-20 God! I pray, I cry out to you!
    The fields are burning up,
The country is a dust bowl,
    forest and prairie fires rage unchecked.
Wild animals, dying of thirst,
    look to you for a drink.
Springs and streams are dried up.
    The whole country is burning up.

For Reflection

To the ministers of the Word, Joel exhorts them to be prepared for national humiliation. The preachers have no sacrifices to offer on behalf of the followers of God.  The only thing left for them to do is lead the faithful in lament and repentance. The Priests cannot save anyone.  Only the faithful can appeal to God in sincere confession and acts of contrition.

Hmmm.

Pray

Pray prayers of confession about the ways you have acted as though you were separated from your relationship with God.  Pray so that your promises of repentance are sincerely given and obediently pursued.  Pray in the knowledge that God has forgiven you and by the blood of Christ, wiped the slate clean.

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Disobedience Results in Israel's Downfall

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Prayer for an Obedient Faith

Jeremiah 25:8-14 The Message

12-14 “The verdict of God-of-the-Angel-Armies on all this: “Because you have refused to listen to what I’ve said, I’m stepping in. I’m sending for the armies out of the north headed by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, my servant in this, and I’m setting them on this land and people and even the surrounding countries. I’m devoting the whole works to total destruction—a horror to top all the horrors in history. And I’ll banish every sound of joy—singing, laughter, marriage festivities, genial workmen, candlelit suppers. The whole landscape will be one vast wasteland. These countries will be in subjection to the king of Babylon for seventy years.
12-14 “Once the seventy years is up, I’ll punish the king of Babylon and the whole nation of Babylon for their sin. Then they’ll be the wasteland. Everything that I said I’d do to that country, I’ll do—everything that’s written in this book, everything Jeremiah preached against all the godless nations. Many nations and great kings will make slaves of the Babylonians, paying them back for everything they’ve done to others. They won’t get by with anything.” God’s Decree.

For Reflection

The prediction of Israel's downfall was fulfilled.  The downfall was a result of their decisions to separate themselves from God and therefore, from Gods protective guidance.  They did not listen and obey the call of God.  During their suffering without God, they will realize the folly of their disobedience. "But you did not listen to me," declares the LORD, "and you have aroused my anger with what your hands have made, and you have brought harm to yourselves." (Jer. 25: 7 NIV)

Pray

Pray so that drifting from your faith does not result in a separation from God.

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King Astonished at Jews Survival

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Bold Faith

Daniel 3:23-25 The Message

23 Nebuchadnezzar, his face purple with anger, cut off Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace fired up seven times hotter than usual. He ordered some strong men from the army to tie them up, hands and feet, and throw them into the roaring furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, bound hand and foot, fully dressed from head to toe, were pitched into the roaring fire. Because the king was in such a hurry and the furnace was so hot, flames from the furnace killed the men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to it, while the fire raged around Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
24 Suddenly King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm and said, “Didn’t we throw three men, bound hand and foot, into the fire?”
“That’s right, O king,” they said.
25 “But look!” he said. “I see four men, walking around freely in the fire, completely unharmed! And the fourth man looks like a son of the gods!”

For Reflection

Those who worshiped the beast did not escape the cleansing flames of Nebuchadnezzar's furnace.  But, those worshiped God danced in flames and survived in witness to the power of God.  When faced with adversity, criticism of your trust in God, or a challenging opportunity to witness to your faith, God will stand with you and will not fail to protect you. The fear of death has become a non-issue in the age of the resurrected Christ.  Trust in the Lord.

Pray

Pray for a trust in God that supersedes fear of failure.  Pray for the confidence to live your life as God has intended, living the word of peace, justice, forgiveness, and compassion.

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We Will Not Serve the Babylonian Gods

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Bold Faith

Daniel 3:13-18 The Message

13-15 Furious, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be brought in. When the men were brought in, Nebuchadnezzar asked, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don’t respect my gods and refuse to worship the gold statue that I have set up? I’m giving you a second chance—but from now on, when the big band strikes up you must go to your knees and worship the statue I have made. If you don’t worship it, you will be pitched into a roaring furnace, no questions asked. Who is the god who can rescue you from my power?”
16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

For Reflection

"But even if he [God] doesn't [save our lives] it wouldn't make a bit of difference." To Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, salvation is not necessarily life-saving.  Salvation is the freedom to choose to worship whom they wish.  In this case, they prefer to worship and follow the Jewish God.  In doing so, it seals their faith and their story as children of God survives.

Pray

Pray so that you will become as bold in your faith as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  Pray so that you can mature into a courageous witness to the Living God.

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Prayer, Fasting and a Bold Move

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Bold Faith

Esther 4:5-17 The Message

4-8 Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her. The queen was stunned. She sent fresh clothes to Mordecai so he could take off his sackcloth but he wouldn’t accept them. Esther called for Hathach, one of the royal eunuchs whom the king had assigned to wait on her, and told him to go to Mordecai and get the full story of what was happening. So Hathach went to Mordecai in the town square in front of the King’s Gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him. He also told him the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to deposit in the royal bank to finance the massacre of the Jews. Mordecai also gave him a copy of the bulletin that had been posted in Susa ordering the massacre so he could show it to Esther when he reported back with instructions to go to the king and intercede and plead with him for her people.
9-11 Hathach came back and told Esther everything Mordecai had said. Esther talked it over with Hathach and then sent him back to Mordecai with this message: “Everyone who works for the king here, and even the people out in the provinces, knows that there is a single fate for every man or woman who approaches the king without being invited: death. The one exception is if the king extends his gold scepter; then he or she may live. And it’s been thirty days now since I’ve been invited to come to the king.”
12-14 When Hathach told Mordecai what Esther had said, Mordecai, sent her this message: “Don’t think that just because you live in the king’s house, you’re the one Jew who will get out of this alive. If you persist in staying silent at a time like this, help and deliverance will arrive for the Jews from someplace else; but you and your family will be wiped out. Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this.”
15-16 Esther sent back her answer to Mordecai: “Go and get all the Jews living in Susa together. Fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, either day or night. I and my maids will fast with you. If you will do this, I’ll go to the king, even though it’s forbidden. If I die, I die.”
17 Mordecai left and carried out Esther’s instructions.

For Reflection

There are stories about the strength of many faithful women in the scriptures.  There is none more courageous than Esther.  She presumes to intercede in the plan to kill all Jews in the Empire. Even though Esther is the queen, an uninvited audience with the King is treacherous. Esther faces the possibility of death because, unknown to the King, Esther is an orphaned Jew. 

Esther follows the instruction of her faith and truthfully witnesses to the injustice inherent in the Viceroy Hathach's plans.  

Pray

Pray for the courage of Esther to follow your commission to seek and promote justice. Pray for those peacemakers who place their lives in jeopardy for the sake of God's promised Kingdom.

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We Must Obey God, not Humans

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Bold Faith

Acts 5:27-32 The Message

27-28 Bringing them back, they stood them before the High Council. The Chief Priest said, “Didn’t we give you strict orders not to teach in Jesus’ name? And here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are trying your best to blame us for the death of this man.”
29-32 Peter and the apostles answered, “It’s necessary to obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, the One you killed by hanging him on a cross. God set him on high at his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of a changed life and sins forgiven. And we are witnesses to these things. The Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey him, corroborates every detail.”

For Reflection

We are often confronted by the question, "in whom do you trust?"  Easy to roll from your lips; more challenging to practice.

Peter and the apostles answer the question.  More importantly, they responded authoritatively and in the spirit of humility.  A more belligerent approach would have incited a violent, riotous response from supporters. 

The Sanhedrin feared a violent reaction from the people.  However, because of the Apostles' non-violent rational response, the Sanhedrin could not find a legitimate reason for an arrest for violations of the law.

Each day, we face the question, "Who do you obey, God or humankind?"  We must answer in a way that affirms God's plan for us.

Pray

Pray for the courage to obey God's will. Pray so that you can respond to everyday challenges in ways that honor God.

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We Must Speak about Jesus

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Bold Faith

Acts 4:13-22 The Message

13-14 They couldn’t take their eyes off them—Peter and John standing there so confident, so sure of themselves! Their fascination deepened when they realized these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education. They recognized them as companions of Jesus, but with the man right before them, seeing him standing there so upright—so healed!—what could they say against that?
15-17 They sent them out of the room so they could work out a plan. They talked it over: “What can we do with these men? By now it’s known all over town that a miracle has occurred and that they are behind it. There is no way we can refute that. But so that it doesn’t go any further, let’s silence them with threats so they won’t dare to use Jesus’ name ever again with anyone.”
18-20 They called them back and warned them that they were on no account ever again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John spoke right back, “Whether it’s right in God’s eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard.”
21-22 The religious leaders renewed their threats, but then released them. They couldn’t come up with a charge that would stick, that would keep them in jail. The people wouldn’t have stood for it—they were all praising God over what had happened. The man who had been miraculously healed was over forty years old.

For Reflection

Jesus had been crucified.  However, the threat of the Christ event still plagued the Jewish religious establishment.  Those who were called to spread the Gospel message kept the meaning Christ alive.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, they were extending the good news to all who would listen.  

Pray

Pray for those through whom the Holy Spirit speaks.  Pray that trust in God expands to all who hear the modern prophets who continue the healing message of the Christ event.

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Training Plan for the Captives

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Sincere Faith

Daniel 1:3-19 The Message

3-5 The king told Ashpenaz, head of the palace staff, to get some Israelites from the royal family and nobility—young men who were healthy and handsome, intelligent and well-educated, good prospects for leadership positions in the government, perfect specimens!—and indoctrinate them in the Babylonian language and the lore of magic and fortunetelling. The king then ordered that they be served from the same menu as the royal table—the best food, the finest wine. After three years of training they would be given positions in the king’s court.
6-7 Four young men from Judah—Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—were among those selected. The head of the palace staff gave them Babylonian names: Daniel was named Belteshazzar, Hananiah was named Shadrach, Mishael was named Meshach, Azariah was named Abednego.

For Reflection

We spend a great deal of time studying the ways of this world.  We become well indoctrinated into the processes of worldly life.  How much time do we spend in spiritual education?

Some Christians are comfortable with weekly (or sometimes occasional) church attendance.  Generally, a low percentage of the church attending Christians attend any Sunday school, or another study group of the church, (though, women in the church are frequently more participative in Christian Education than men).  Churches usually have formal training as a requirement for leadership, but such training does not concentrate directly on Scriptural literacy.
This modern world of rapid social, economic, political and technological change tests the resolve of Christians.  It is increasingly vital that Christian communities generate a higher percentage of believers who are prepared to confront the challenges of modern life. 

Pray

Pray that you will accept God's overture to prepare your self to understand and practice your trust in God and God's Kingdom.  Pray that you are well informed about the foundations of your faith so that you can face the pressures of today's living in the context of your scriptural heritage.

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Be Faithful When Tested

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Sincere Faith

Revelation 2:8-11 The Message

To Smyrna

8 Write this to Smyrna, to the Angel of the church. The Beginning and Ending, the First and Final One, the Once Dead and Then Come Alive, speaks:
9 “I can see your pain and poverty—constant pain, dire poverty—but I also see your wealth. And I hear the lie in the claims of those who pretend to be good Jews, who in fact belong to Satan’s crowd.
10 “Fear nothing in the things you’re about to suffer—but stay on guard! Fear nothing! The Devil is about to throw you in jail for a time of testing—ten days. It won’t last forever.
“Don’t quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you.
11 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. Christ-conquerors are safe from Devil-death.”

For Reflection

Our faith is tested each time we must make a moral decision.  It is the time when the commonly accepted solutions to day-to-day challenges clash with a God-centered response.  Your commitment to Jesus and the Way will cost you.  Be willing to accept the consequence of your decisions. In doing so, you witness to the better god with whom you reside.

Pray

Pray that you will find rest in the times of adversity by trusting in God and in the Way of Righteousness as shown by Christ.  Pray for the courage to honor God.

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Faithful Living in Another Land

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Sincere Faith

Jeremiah 29:4-9 The Message

4 This is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, to all the exiles I’ve taken from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5 “Build houses and make yourselves at home.
“Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country.
6 “Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you’ll thrive in that country and not waste away.
7 “Make yourselves at home there and work for the country’s welfare.
“Pray for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you.”
8-9 Yes. Believe it or not, this is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God: “Don’t let all those so-called preachers and know-it-alls who are all over the place there take you in with their lies. Don’t pay any attention to the fantasies they keep coming up with to please you. They’re a bunch of liars preaching lies—and claiming I sent them! I never sent them, believe me.” God’s Decree!

For Reflection

Do you sometimes feel as though you are are living in another land? Even though you have built houses and occupied this place, made families, worked and hoped for your country's welfare, do you still feel as though you were a stranger in a strange land?

Well, that's because as an authentic Christian you often find yourself at odds with your environment. As a child of God, you see things differently from those who do not have an intimate relationship with God.  That which guides your thought and action is not always consistent with the conventional way of seeing the world and interacting with it.   
These passages from Jeremiah remind us that we must continue to participate in this world even though we must also separate ourselves from those thoughts and actions which threaten our relationship with God. In the face of an unforgiving economic, social and governance system, inhospitable people, abounding falsity and a lack of a sense of the common good, an authentic Christian must still find creative ways to pursue justice, offer hospitality, forgive, and participate in the fellowship of a Christian Community.

Pray

Pray often about all things so that you can maintain your intimate relationship with the living God. Pray for the courage to offer an alternate worldview and lifestyle that honors God.

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The Lord God Defeats Baal

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Sincere Faith

1 Kings 18:30-39 The Message 

30-35 Then Elijah told the people, “Enough of that—it’s my turn. Gather around.” And they gathered. He then put the altar back together for by now it was in ruins. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes of Jacob, the same Jacob to whom God had said, “From now on your name is Israel.” He built the stones into the altar in honor of God. Then Elijah dug a fairly wide trench around the altar. He laid firewood on the altar, cut up the ox, put it on the wood, and said, “Fill four buckets with water and drench both the ox and the firewood.” Then he said, “Do it again,” and they did it. Then he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. The altar was drenched and the trench was filled with water.
36-37 When it was time for the sacrifice to be offered, Elijah the prophet came up and prayed, “O God, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make it known right now that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I’m doing what I’m doing under your orders. Answer me, God; O answer me and reveal to this people that you are God, the true God, and that you are giving these people another chance at repentance.”
38 Immediately the fire of God fell and burned up the offering, the wood, the stones, the dirt, and even the water in the trench.
39 All the people saw it happen and fell on their faces in awed worship, exclaiming, “God is the true God! God is the true God!”

For Reflection

What is your modern day Baal? Is your inclination to defeat Baal by force or by some alternate means? 
We suffer the same question that the first century Christian faced. The Christ event made it clear that peace by violent means is not lasting.

One can achieve long-lasting peace only through invoking the Holy Spirit into one's soul and letting the Spirit dominate one's attitudes, beliefs, and values.  We all have the creative capacity to reveal the peacemaking that resides divinely in our souls. We can all show, as Elija had shown, the power of God.  Each day we can demonstrate the power of God in transforming our lives into peacemakers. Those around us will see God at work in our lives. Some will become transformed by the vision.

Pray

Pray that you will embrace the gentle push of the Holy Spirit toward acts of kindness, generosity, humility, forgiveness, and justice and act on it as a God collaborator.

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In God I Put My Trust

Faith in Action

A Living Faith in God

A Sincere Faith

Psalm 56 The Message

A David Psalm, When He Was Captured by the Philistines in Gath

56 1-4 Take my side, God—I’m getting kicked around,
    stomped on every day.
Not a day goes by
    but somebody beats me up;
They make it their duty
    to beat me up.
When I get really afraid
    I come to you in trust.
I’m proud to praise God;
    fearless now, I trust in God.
    What can mere mortals do?
5-6 They don’t let up—
    they smear my reputation
    and huddle to plot my collapse.
They gang up,
    sneak together through the alleys
To take me by surprise,
    wait their chance to get me.
7 Pay them back in evil!
    Get angry, God!
    Down with these people!
8 You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn
    through the sleepless nights,
Each tear entered in your ledger,
    each ache written in your book.
9 If my enemies run away,
    turn tail when I yell at them,
Then I’ll know
    that God is on my side.
10-11 I’m proud to praise God,
    proud to praise God.
Fearless now, I trust in God;
    what can mere mortals do to me?
12-13 God, you did everything you promised,
    and I’m thanking you with all my heart.
You pulled me from the brink of death,
    my feet from the cliff-edge of doom.
Now I stroll at leisure with God
    in the sunlit fields of life.

For Reflection

David was caught in a bind.  In the words of a song written by Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan and originally performed by their band Stealers Wheel, "Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am, Stuck in the middle with you."

That song was written sarcastically about Bob Dylan, but this song of David contains not a hint of sarcasm. David's situation is dire. He has been captured by the Philistines and he is, indeed, between a "rock and a hard place."  

David's call is an act of volitional faith. There is an acknowledged tension between human free will and God's will. David confesses his trust in God and is thankful that God's presence. A Judean in the midst of non-covenant people, David calls for deliverance from his perilous circumstance.

In the middle of an unthinkable future, David rests confidently in God's presence. God did not slay David's enemies.  However, with fearless courage, David feigned insanity and was able to escape.

Pray

Pray for the confidence of Daniel.  Pray so that you can rest, confidently trusting God to help you find your way. Pray so that you can hear God's unexpected whispered answers.

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