Fifth Tuesday in Lent 2011

And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” ~ Luke 12:16-21 (ESV)

Almighty God, may I never lay up treasure for myself but always be rich toward You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

National Library Week

April 10-16, 2011 is National Library Week, sponsored by the American Library Association.

Here’s John Grisham talking about the importance of libraries.

Fifth Monday in Lent 2011

And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” ~ Luke 21:29-36 (ESV)

Maranatha, come quickly, Lord, Jesus, and may You find me ready to stand before You. Amen.

Passion Sunday 2011

Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.  Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.  Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”  Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” ~ John 8:46-58 (ESV)

Lord, empower me by the Holy Spirit to keep Your Word so that I spend eternity in Heaven with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fifth Saturday in Lent 2011

And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” ~ Matthew 18:25-35 (ESV)

Lord God, guide me by Your Holy Spirit to forgive those who hurt me. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, who reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Absolute Truth vs. Personal Opinion

I felt overwhelmed and called upon a fellow Christian for prayer. She prayed, “Lord, give Lillie discernment to know what You are calling her to do right now—this minute, this hour, this day.” I fell asleep praying this prayer, and I woke with this post in my mind.

The United States was founded on the principle that absolute truth exists. The Declaration of Independence says: “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” Truths, not opinions.

Yet the Constitution also gives us freedom of religion and freedom of speech,which means we can choose to believe and express personal opinion that not only isn’t absolute truth, but may even be the opposite of absolute truth.

Most people believe as an absolute truth that murder is wrong. A man who kills a store clerk in a robbery, a husband who beats his wife to death because she smiled at another man, a woman who murders the mother of her daughter’s cheerleading competitor—these are all considered murderers who have committed crimes—and sins.

However, most people also believe that not all killing is murder. Soldiers can kill enemies fighting against them on the battlefield. Individuals being attacked by assailants with guns or knives are justified in killing the attackers if that is the only way to protect themselves and others.

Then there are the examples that aren’t quite so universally accepted. I have consistently called abortion murder, but there are many in this country and around the world who call it simply a woman’s choice.

Scripture clearly tells us God creates and knows each individual from the moment of conception. The Bible also tells us what God expects of us.

• So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. ~ Genesis 1:27
• Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. ~ Isaiah 49:1b
• Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. ~ Jeremiah 1:5a
• Your hands have made and fashioned me. ~ Psalm 119:73a
• You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! My very self you knew; my bones were not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth. Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be. ~ Psalm 139:13-16
• You shall not murder. ~ Exodus 20:13
• For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11
• I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. ~ Deuteronomy 30:19b-20

At its core, the question of abortion is this: Do we  believe the absolute truth—the Word of Almighty God, or do we believe the opposite of truth?

Do we believe that the All-Powerful, Omniscient, Omnipresent Creator and Ruler of the Universe knows best or do we believe that we, in our human frailty and sinfulness, know best?

This question applies to all areas of our lives. We are called to make the Lord the center of our lives and to do His will as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

When I felt overwhelmed, I didn’t know what to do next. Too many demands pulled in too many directions. I had to call on God to show me the way. The result is this post—something not even on my long to-do list!

“Choose this day whom you will serve…. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” ~ Joshua 24:15

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Lord, give me discernment to know what You are calling me to do now right now—this minute, this hour, this day. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

photo credit: Robert Brook

Fifth Friday in Lent 2011

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. ~ Luke 6:37-42 (ESV)

Gracious, holy God, why do I find it so easy to see the speck in my brother’s eye but so difficult to see the log in my own eye? Show me the log in my eye, Lord, and by the power of the Blood of the Lamb and the help of the Holy Spirit, guide me to remove the log from my eye that I may see clearly. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fifth Thursday in Lent 2011

“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” ~ Luke 15:25-32 (ESV)

Lord, I can identify with the older son. I wonder why someone has done wrong should be honored and welcomed. Forgive me for self-righteousness, for selfishness, for jealousy. Turn my heart to rejoice when sinners are blessed because they turn to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fifth Wednesday in Lent 2011

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. ~ Luke 15:11-24 (ESV)

Heavenly Father, I haven’t squandered my inheritance in riotous living, but I have sinned against You and am no more worthy to be called Your child. Yet, like the father of the prodigal son, You welcome me with open arms and forgive my sins. Thank You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fourth Tuesday in Lent 2011

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” ~ Luke 7:36-50 (ESV)

Lord God, Thank You for forgiving my sins. I love You greatly for You have forgiven greatly. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

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