Daily Devotions September 2023 - Taste and See that the Lord is Good

September is a transitional month all over the world. In the States we begin to notice, or hope to notice, a hint of Fall in the air. In the southern hemisphere winter begins to wane and the hope of the welcome rains of spring arrive. It is a transitional month in other ways as well. Schools are getting into full swing. New fiscal years begin. In the rhythms of church life, Sunday School classes often resume, and pastors begin planning for Advent and Christmas. In all of those transitions, and any others we may face, it is helpful to take time for discernment. What have I learned that I bring with me into this new season? What is God asking of me? How can I face an unknown future? What are the gifts and graces that will sustain me as the days shorten or lengthen and patterns of life, and church life, shift, and change? I have been struck recently by where God has brought us as a Safe Harbor community. We are grounded in a place, the beautiful north coast of San Luis Obispo County, and also a faith community without borders where people worship along with us all over the world. Suddenly I find myself studying about Burundi and praying for the saints who worship with us there. We never could have dreamed when we began as Dinner Church, that we would find ourselves a few years later feeding the souls, in our own small way, of friends in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For our daily devotions this month, I have prepared a prayer and discernment process for us to engage in together, wherever in the world we may find ourselves. It is a month of listening to the word with openness, humility, and praise. So, I invite you this month to taste and see that the Lord is good!

September 3, 2023 – I Samuel 3:11 – “Then the Lord said to Samuel, ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle.” 

The prophet Samuel was a young child when he received his call to speak for God into his community and time. He is working as a helper to the old prophet Eli whose sons are not following in the footsteps of their dad with any integrity or righteousness. How painful for any parent! The boy Samuel gives Eli hope. After a ‘call in the night’ story in which young Samuel hears a call from God and thinks it is Eli, Eli recognizes that God is speaking to the boy and tells Samuel how to listen. When he does, God tells him that God is about to do something fearsome and glorious in the land and in the lives of God’s people. It won’t be easy, but it will always be right. Take a moment today to put yourself into this story. Like Eli, are there any moments in which you despair of those who you hoped would pick up the reins of faith after you? Who brings you comfort? Like Samuel, do you sometimes have a hard time sorting out God’s voice from the human voices of those you love, trust or fear? Who helps you with that? Several times today, stop and pray Samuel’s prayer in your heart, “Speak, for your servant listens.” And see what happens.

Prayer: Gracious God, sometimes a new thing is more frightening than exciting to us, even when we long for change. Prick our ears and hearts today, O God. Ready us to receive and do your will. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 4, 2023 - Isaiah 40:28-29 – “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.

Chapter 40 in the book of Isaiah brings a new and unique voice into the story of our spiritual ancestors. Often called Second Isaiah, this unnamed prophet speaks to God’s people in times of turmoil and national crisis. The people’s understanding of who God is and what God does is shifting and changing. They don’t know what to do and they are beginning to wonder if God has abandoned them. Second Isaiah begins his prophecies by declaring that no matter what is happening, God is great and good, even if God’s people are confused or sinful. He introduces us to the concept of a suffering servant savior that Christians believe became flesh in Jesus. Many of us know how to lose heart and wonder if God is working on our behalf, just like the ancestors who heard this prophet preach. We too need to remember that God is always good and great even when we are not. We need to remember that God suffers with us and is willing to walk any path to bring us to life and faithfulness. Are there ways that you need encouragement today? Do you struggle to trust that God is great (powerful) and good (righteous) and present in suffering? If so, read this verse over several times. Write it out in your own hand, or record it on your phone to play through the day. God knows you, loves you, is enough for you, and is moving on your behalf!

Prayer: Gracious God, today we thank you for your kindness and goodness toward us, and all your children. Help us to receive your strength, to declare your love, to give thanks for your bounty, and to welcome your will. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 5, 2023 - Isaiah 43:18-19, 25 – “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
What a glorious passage this is! Still through the hand of Second Isaiah, God paints a picture of the glorious changes that are at hand. Many of us find change difficult. We experience security and a measure of peace in doing things the way we have always done them, or in imaging a longed-for future that looks like an idealized past. We can even feel like change is an indictment on past behavior and choices. Sometimes that is rightfully true. More times, however, change is more like dead heading a rose bush to remove the spent blossoms that blessed you once but now only sap the strength of the plant. Here God tells the weary people that the springs of water for their land and souls will flow, and they need not be afraid. God, for God’s sake and not just our own, has chosen to blot out our sins and failures. Unbelievably, God even choose to remember them no more. If you find that you are secretly tortured by old mistakes or sinful actions, read this verse again. You do not need to punish yourself for not living your life perfectly. God chooses not to even remember what you are so worried about. You can learn from your mistakes and let them go.

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for not holding our mistakes against us. Thank you for the height and depth of your love, a love that is powerful enough to erase all our ragged selfish actions. Thank you, that you always promise healing streams of life when we feel parched and lost. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 6, 2023 - Jeremiah 1:9-10 – “Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, ‘Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and the pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

In this verse the prophet Jeremiah recounts his call to prophetic ministry. Jeremiah, often called the weeping prophet because of his personal troubles and because of the wrenching pain and compassion he felt toward his people in times of turmoil and faithlessness, served as a prophet for more than forty years under Judah’s last five kings. When Jerusalem fell to Babylon, the conquerors gave him the option to stay. He chose to do so. However, a band of Jews forced him to flee with them to Egypt where he later died, but not before prophesying there as well. In this experience of God’s call on Jeremiah’s life, God gives us a picture of the call on every believer’s life. We are given God’s words to be used for the betterment of the world. Sometimes evil needs to be named and plucked out. Sometimes systems become corrupt and must be confronted. Even then we do not use God’s word to wound. God’s word always builds and plants for a new and glorious harvest, both on earth and in heaven. As you look around today, are there ways that you can use the Word of God that is planted in your soul to plant something new and good? To build up someone who is struggling. To confront any system or power that is death dealing? If so, take a deep breath and, like Jeremiah did, allow God to give you the words and actions that are called for today.

Prayer: Gracious God, today we long to speak of you, to speak for you! Put your words of grace and challenge into our hearts and lift them to others with our voices. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 7, 2023 - Jeremiah 31:13 – “Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.”

The end is never the end for God’s people. The worst is never the last. In this beautiful section, the prophet reminds us that even when times are hard and we feel overcome by sorrow, either personal, communal or national, God is always several steps ahead of us and will transform our mourning into joy. Does these mean that we should not mourn? Of course not! Mourning, and even fear, are a part of the human condition. They play a role. Our loves and disappointments are worth mourning. Our fears sometimes keep us safe and tell us what we truly value. The point is that God is out ahead of our circumstances, working to dry our tears and bring us into joy again as exactly the right time. So today, feel what you feel. Acknowledge that what you are feeling is acceptable and it is also temporary. While you live this day, with whatever your face, know that joy is on the way as surely as sunrise!

Prayer: Gracious God, today we peek from behind our pain and see the glorious wash of your love over our lives and the whole created order! It is you who heal and make a place for gladness in us again. Thank you! We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 8, 2023 - Jeremiah 31:34 – “No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.”

The issue in this glorious chapter of Jeremiah is grace, pure and simple. In the midst of the worst, Jeremiah reminds the people that God will start over, if not with them, then with their descendants. The covenant made at Sinai has been shattered by the people’s faithlessness. Yet God’s faithfulness is such that God will try again. This time the covenant will not be something external that people must keep. This time it will be internal, written on the heart, into the very being of God’s people. The phrase “Know the Lord,” refers to more than head knowledge. It refers to intimate knowledge that changes lives. This was an awesome new insight for Israel. Most of the Hebrew scriptures, and people’s experiences, had emphasized the otherness, holiness, and distance of God. All true. Now, though, God says that there is more than distant awe to experience. We can know God personally and intimately. If that does not fill you with awe, I don’t know what can! Of course, we can never know God fully, never contain God in what our minds and hearts can comprehend. Still, we are promised a real and intimate relationship with God. So today, take a moment to ponder this wonderful promise. Notice that the text says that ALL shall know God intimately. Sometimes we get discouraged when we don’t see others coming to the Lord as we would hope. Fear Not! God has a plan for ALL of God’s children and God will never abandon that plan.

Prayer: Gracious God, all of our lives we have longed to know you more intimately and truly. Help us today to celebrate our relationship, and your faithfulness and tenderness toward us. We have searched for you, and you are already here! Thank you! We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 9, 2023 - Matthew 3:17 – And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

A colleague once told the story of preaching upon this passage when a young man, who was a regular part of his church, got up and rushed from worship. The young man did not even know himself why he had done this. The next day the man came to see his pastor and as they tried to sort out what happened, the pastor read this story again. Suddenly the man began to cry. “That is always what I wanted to hear from my own father.” Some of us have known parental pain. Maybe our parents were broken and did not have the love and support to share that we longed for and deserved. Maybe they were just so stressed out and worn down, there was little left for us. Maybe we lost them too young, and with them that sense of belovedness. Maybe societal norms or roles prevented them from helping us feel safe and worthwhile. Maybe they did everything right, and the judgment of others was so strong it drowned out their tender care. Whatever the case, God’s word is clear. As God speaks to Jesus in this verse, God now speaks to each of us as Christ’s body the church. What does it feel like to realize that God is pleased with you? Remember that this verse comes from Jesus’ baptism. He has not yet started his ministry. He is not beloved for what he has done. He is beloved for who he is. The same is true for you! Take a few moments now to breath these words into your heart and soul. How does it feel in your body? Do you find that you are smiling or more relaxed? Know that you can return to this verse anytime you feel bad about yourself or stressed and inadequate. God loves you!

Prayer: Gracious God, we are awed that the words “Beloved Child” that you spoke to Jesus, you now speak to us! Thank you for your loving acceptance and inclusive grace. Parent us today, O God, so that we may grow to give you worthy praise. Thank you! We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 10, 2023 - Matthew 5:3 – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The word ‘blessed’ used here in Jesus great Sermon on the Mount is a rich and multi-dimensional concept. It comes from words in both the Old and New Testament that mean “to be in a privileged position”, “to be in good circumstances”, “to be fortunate, or to be happy.” To “be blessed” also implies to be “whole”, “at peace”, “filled with well-being”, “saved”. Today we sometimes use the word “okay” in this way. For example, when someone is hurt or grieving, we will give them a hug and say “It’s okay. It will really be okay.” The beatitudes have that same sense of declaring a current reality to be filled with well-being even if that is not apparent. It also allows us to hold onto the promise of further fulfillment and wholeness in the future. It is not simply that we will someday experience blessing if and when we exhibit a particular condition so we should seek it or seek to sustain it. Jesus is saying that even when we experience what we might think of as a negative condition, we are already blessed, and that blessing will continue to unfold and expand more and more over time. The condition itself has a holiness within it. In Luke’s version, Jesus simply says, blessed are the poor. Here in Matthew’s gospel, ‘poor in spirit’ refers to those who are in poverty, and also to those who are without arrogance, and a sense of their own need. It is a phrase often used to express the identity of the faithful. They are the ones who know their lives are not in their own control, they belong to God in every way. The Kingdom of heaven means the same as the kingdom of God. It refers to the rule of God over human life and history. It is both present in Jesus and yet to come in the final fulfillment. What does it mean to you today to hear these words spoken directly to you? Do you feel poor in some way, lacking in something crucial, either materially or spiritually? Breathe for a moment and hear Jesus say, “You are okay. You will be okay. You are whole and at peace.” Do you notice arrogance or neediness in yourself today? It is hard to feel blessed when those states occupy your mind and heart. Ask God to help you release any occupying worries or thoughts that hinder your experience of well-being. You are blessed!

Prayer: Gracious God, sometimes our spirits sag. Our minds wander from your truth and goodness. We feel exhausted and want to give up. Remind us today that even when our spirits fail, you do not. You promise to rule our lives and bring us to fullness with you. Thank you! We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 11, 2023 - Matthew 5:4 – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

The phrase ‘those who mourn’ does not simply refer to an individual’s personal grief, although that is certainly included. It refers to those who actively lament the present condition of the world and its people. It refers to those who do not resign themselves to their own, or their communities’, conditions of injustice and suffering as if they are final, inescapable, and irreversible. The phrase ‘will be comforted’ means that those who mourn in this larger open-eyed way will see a new day! All of our pain and lamentation over our own and our communities’ situations will not be for nothing. We will see better times. Even our mourning and lament is itself a witness to our understanding of wholeness and God’s desired salvation. We cannot experience the fullness of our blessing and well-being if we resign ourselves to human suffering and systemic injustice. Jesus tells us that when we hurt for humanity, and all of creation, we will see a new day. We will see God move to comfort, restore, and use us. When we accept hopeless thinking, declare that everything is broken beyond repair and nothing lies ahead but doom, we are actively, by those thoughts and actions, shunning the comfort and direction that is available to us. We have to see, to mourn. We have to have a heart to mourn. We have to see that God’s values are being trounced upon to mourn. Only then does comfort and direction come. Pause for a moment today and think about the things that you find lamentable? What around you breaks your heart? If you think of a person or situation, imagine it with as much clarity as you can. This is a form of prayer. Lift the person or situation in your imagination up to God with loving hands. Imagine warmth, healing and comfort surrounding them like a blanket or a hug. Know that comfort, in one way or another, always comes.

Prayer: Gracious God, we have known losses in our lives. Each has left its mark. In each you have brought your comfort and grace. Thank you, God, for being by our side in every circumstance, at every moment. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 12, 2023 - Matthew 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.”

The word we translate here as ‘meek’ is sometimes translated as gentle or humble. It often refers to those who have renounced the violent ways of the world. It is, however, much bigger than that. Actually, it is a nearly untranslatable word that refers to one’s inner attitude toward God in which, from the very core of who we are, we accept God’s dealings with us, God’s very self, as good. Therefore, we live our lives without disputing or resisting. It is a forceful word that seeks to describe the power that comes from the knowledge that all of the resources of God are being brought to bear in every circumstance. This kind of meekness is not passive, nor is it timid. It is the capacity to remain calm and centered even in the face of hostility and confusion. It is completely non-retaliatory. It is a radiant power that is also described as a fruit of the Spirit. It is a quality of assurance that does not need to put itself forward or jockey for control. The phrase ‘inherit the earth’ means to be a part of the new reality that is God’s rule in human life, and that will be made full in the age to come. When we are meek, Jesus is not saying that we will inherit a fortune or be able to control people, places, or things. He is saying that when we trust in God’s goodness, in all and through all things, we
will participate in the fullness of God’s reign in our own lives, without resisting or disputing. Of course, Jesus is not saying that we do not resist evil and injustice. What he is saying is that when we do not resist what God is doing in and with us, we will know the joy of living within the framework of God’s blessed will for our lives. When we do that, not only are we made whole, but we contribute to the wholeness of the world. Think for a moment today about what you often resist. Is it evil or injustice? Then resist away! Is it change, or the urge to retaliate or seek retribution? If so, try not to resist those things, but rather, release or relinquish those urges into the providence of God for resolution. The difference is subtle, I grant you, but it is also profound.

Prayer: Gracious God, sometimes we don’t know ourselves very well. We think that we are worse or better than we really are. Thank you for reminding us that who we are is enough because you yourself are enough. Fill us today with a deep sense of your goodness. Show us what to resist and what to release. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 13, 2023 - Matthew 5:6 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

In this beautiful verse Jesus reminds us that when we have a deep and all-encompassing desire to do God’s will we are in a blessed condition indeed. The use of the words hunger, and thirst make clear that seeking to do God’s will and live according to God’s values of love, peace and equity, are not mere options from which we can choose or not. They are necessities of life. When we passionately know that we must actively do God’s will as surely as we must breathe in and out, then we are experiencing the state that Jesus is describing here. What is so tender and gracious in this verse is that Jesus promises that when our deep desire is to do and manifest God’s love and compassion, that desire will be met by God in exactly the right way, proportion, and time. Think for a moment today about a time when you felt ‘on-fire’ to do God’s will. Maybe this is such a time. Maybe you recall a time like that in the past or imagine one in the future. What does it feel like to you to hunger and thirst for righteousness? What are factors that dampen your zeal? Do your circumstances wear you out so much that you hardly think of these things because you are simply trying to make it through? Do you feel hesitant to fan the flame of yearning because you can’t be certain what God’s will is, and you see so many people loudly declaring that they are doing God’s will in ways that you ‘just know’ can’t be right? If you find that you feel unsure of what God desires and sees as righteousness, keep it simple. God is Love. God is Merciful. God is brimming with Compassion. God sets those in bondage Free. Those simple statements are enough for you to awaken to your own hunger and thirst. When you hunger and thirst to be Love, Mercy, Compassion and Releaser, then you will find that that need will be met with both more of God’s presence and more direction for your journey.

Prayer: Gracious God, sometimes we are on fire for your will and ways. We see your broken world and long to be a part of its redeeming. Thank you for your promise that if we move our feet when we pray, you will move the world. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 14, 2023 - Matthew 5:7 – “Blessed are the merciful. For they will receive mercy.”

The beautiful word that we translate as ‘mercy’ refers to concrete acts of mercy, not just a merciful attitude or feeling of pity. This is such an important word because it assumes need on the part of the one to whom mercy is offered, and resources to meet that need on the part of the one offering mercy. Throughout the scriptures when we read that God is ‘rich in mercy,’ that does not simply refer to God’s feelings toward us, but rather to God recognizing our need, having the resources and will to meet that need, and then moving out actively to actually meet the need. Here Jesus tells us that when we mirror God’s mercy, recognize any life draining need, either material, physical or spiritual in another, have the capacity to offer aid that will truly help, and then move out to do so without counting the cost to ourselves, then God’s similar mercy toward us will flow like a mighty river. Feeling sorry for someone or some condition is not mercy. Using what we have to impact their condition for the better is mercy. Granted, as flawed human beings, we may not have clear respectful insight into the true need of others. We may not always know the most respectful and impactful way to meet other’s needs. When we ponder the call to mercy, it is important to spend time in prayer so that we do not assume that everyone needs the same things we need, or what we want them to have. Mercy is never coercive or exploitative. For that reason, developing relationships of listening with those we feel called to assist is crucial. Without that what we think of as merciful may just be another blow that makes things worse. This is not an excuse to procrastinate in our merciful behavior. It is simply a caution that giving people what we think they need is not the same as giving people what they actually need. Being mindful and humble as we seek to be merciful is as important as seeking to be merciful is itself. Today, take a moment to quiet your heart. Ask God if you have been blessed with a resource that could truly help someone in need. If something comes to mind, talk it over with a trusted spiritual companion. Pray about it together, then act according to your love filled leading.

Prayer: Gracious God, sometimes we are so judgmental! We are easy on our own sin and utterly appalled by the sin or the conditions of others. Make us merciful and humble, O God, for only in your mercy can we find true joy. Thank you! We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 15, 2023 - Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

To be pure in heart is not just the avoidance of impure thoughts. It means to live with single minded devotion to God. The opposite of pure in heart is a divided heart in which our loyalties seem to conflict, and we become immobilized by doubt or contradictory pulls. Jesus is saying here that when we focus on God and refuse to allow other little gods, even other things we love like our families, to become the basis for our decision making and ethics we will lack that beautiful sense of wholeness, peace and happiness that is what is conveyed in the word ‘blessed.’ From our early history as God’s people, God has made clear that worshipping and serving our little pantheons of preferences, habits, fears, and prejudices is death dealing, and leads to anything but true peace of mind. Mirroring here the first and second commandments, Jesus reminds us that when we focus on God as our only ruler, we will see more and more of who God really is. We will understand more and more about who we are and what our lives mean. The promise “will see God’ refers to the meeting of our longing to experience the fullness of God’s presence as an abiding reality on earth and in heaven. Take a moment today to think about any ways in which your heart is divided. Are there secondary allegiances that you too often make primary? Close your eyes for a moment and, in a spirit of prayer, ask God to help you see your heart and motivations as God sees them. Do you see a need for repentance and change? If so, know that God always stands ready to forgive and strengthen you. So don’t be afraid to look deeply. The intent to see your truth is in and of itself a delight to God.

Prayer: Gracious God, there is not much pure in our hearts somedays except our love for you. And even that is not as constant as we wish. Still our desire for you is a fire that burns away all the dross. Purify us, O God; gently please, for we so long to see you. Thank you! We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 16, 2023 - Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Each of the beautiful beatitudes that we have considered applies to us individually and personally. They also apply to us as groups or peoples. We are blessed when our family, our church, our community, our nations, and the whole world live without arrogance and neediness, see and lament the suffering of others, live humbly in the knowledge of God’s goodness, desire more and more of God, act in appropriate mercy, and keep our hearts undivided. The last two beatitudes make the communal nature of Jesus’ words explicit and contextual. Roman emperors referred to themselves as “peacemakers” and “sons of God.” In this verse Jesus reclaims and reshapes those phrases. In the kingdom of God, peacemakers are not simply those who shun violence and retaliation, although that is a part of what they do. Peacemakers are those who actively work for reconciliation. The root word for peace refers to harmonious relationships between persons, peoples, nations, between a person and God, and within the various aspects of a person’s life. Peace is a work of the Spirit that is made manifest when the world’s indifference or fear is replaced by an all-encompassing compassion that erases all boundaries that permit division, or the understanding of anyone as enemy. To be a peacemaker is to allow oneself to be used by God for this kind of life changing realignment. When we put ourselves in God’s hands in this way, to do what God does, Jesus says we are known as children of God. That phrase means that we are like God, reflect God and are heirs of the blessings of God. Today pause to consider any areas in your personal or community life that need peace and reconciliation. How might you be a true peacemaker and not just an appeaser in those circumstances?

Prayer: Gracious God, it seems that throughout the ages hostility and conflict have ruled us more than you have. Thank you for reminding us of the way of peace that is the only sure road for your children. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 17, 2023 - Matthew 5:10 – “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The angriest I ever saw one of my seminary professors was the day that one of my classmates preached his first sermon in chapel. In that sermon he said that Christians no longer experience persecution. My professor, who taught global mission, nearly had a stroke. He got red in the face. As soon as the final amen was said in the benediction, he ran up to my classmate. He told him that that was the single most ignorant and irresponsible thing he had ever heard from a pulpit. He told him that he had better get himself together or he would do more harm than good in his ministry, and on and on. All of us felt sorry for our friend as he withered under the criticism. It was also a wake-up call to us young privileged would-be pastors. Persecution for the faith happens all over the world every day. It is important to recognize what is, and is not, persecution. Sometimes we hear brothers and sisters in Christ in the USA cry persecution simply because they don’t like something and can’t bend others to their will. That is not persecution, in my view. Inconvenience or offense is not persecution. The Greek word Jesus uses refers to a systemic, grinding rejection that puts someone, or some group, to flight. It is a word used of being cast out of a place or a position of power or equality. In the early days of the faith, persecution was not always to the death, but it became so. Sharing faith and conversion carried the death penalty by the end of the first century. Christians were barred from certain neighborhoods, charged different prices in markets, spat upon in the town squares. People could be arrested for giving food or clean water to jailed Christians. Some were unable to hold up under that kind of pressure and recanted their faith. Here Jesus tells us that those who remain steadfast in faith when persecuted for living according to God’s values (righteousness) will inherit all the good God has instore. Granted, like my young classmate wrongly assumed, many of us are not threatened in the ways that those in Jesus’ day or around the world today are threatened. For that we should give thanks as we hold those who live with persecution in our hearts and prayers.

Prayer: Gracious God, there are martyrs all over the world today, sisters and brothers that put their lives on the line for you. We pray for them, O God, and ask you to show us how we are to minister to them. Thank you! We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 18, 2023 - Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

When we read this tender verse, it almost feels like the very air we breathe softens and changes. Many of us are exhausted. Work, family, and civic responsibilities can feel overwhelming at times. Add to that our own health struggles, and those of friends and family, and we too may long for nothing more than to crawl into Jesus’ lap and just rest. Is that really what Jesus is saying here, though? The term ‘heavy burdens’ refers specifically to the burdens of religious obligation that were laid on the people by the dominant interpretations of the law. People lived in a constant state of vigilance about law keeping that became burdensome rather than freeing. Perhaps you too know how exhausting it is to try to live perfectly according to God’s values or your own. Jesus here tells us that we do not have to be perfect. He will give us rest from the relentless drive to never make mistakes, or disappoint God and others. In
addition, this principle, and grace that Jesus offers in these verses, can also be applied to other types of burdens that robe us of joy, peace, and freedom. The word ‘rest’ here is not the rest of inactivity, but of harmony. This is the rest that comes when heart, mind, desires, and affections are in harmony and at peace. The word also implies satisfaction, wholeness, and congruence. Jesus wants us, and offers a pathway for us, to live in the sweet harmony of receiving and offering grace. Take a moment now to check in with yourself in a spirit of prayer. Are you feeling burdened? Is perfectionism wreaking havoc with your work and relationships? Are you feeling like you cannot measure up no matter how hard you try? Take all of that to Jesus. Allow him to comfort you, assure you and give you peace and harmony. Breathe deeply of Christ’s comfort and release your burdens into God’s care.

Prayer: Gracious God, today our load feels heavy. We worry about our families, friends, finances, and health. We worry about our future as a faith community and a nation. We are bowed low from trying and failing to do the right things. Thank you for shouldering that load for us today. Help us to allow you to do it and thereby to find rest. Thank you! We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 19, 2023 - Mark 1:27 – “They were all amazed, and kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority!”

In Mark’s Gospel this verse comes from the section in which Jesus begins his public ministry. He has been baptized, gathered his first disciples, and now is travelling to Capernaum, a city on the north shore of the Sea of Galilees. He has met a man with an unclean spirit and cast it out. While exorcism was common and accepted in Jesus’ day, something about Jesus and about this incident astounds those who witness it. There is something new about his ‘authority.’ The word means both the right and the power to do something, and the right to be obeyed. Religious leaders spent much time in debate about what was and was not permitted. Jesus’ authority does not come from the debates of leaders. He is radically different, and many recognize that immediately, even if they do not know how to make sense of it. Sometimes we struggle with what feels like competing authorities. Our leaders exercise authority in different ways. Our church grows in insight and changes guidance in light of new learning. The church down the street thinks we are wrong, and they are right. So how do we know what to do and who to believe? Mark tells us that all we need to do is look to Jesus and what he does, and we will know. What we see in this story is that Jesus has the authority to rid stricken people from bondages that make life barely worth living. He has the authority to overcome anything that subverts the will of God for the life of blessing for all people. If you wonder who to listen to, ask yourself who is ridding people of their bondage and working for the betterment of the most downtrodden. Those ones will not be perfect, but you can expect to find Jesus there.

Prayer: Gracious God, sometimes in our worn-out, worn-down lives, we fail to see the new thing that you are doing, even in us. Thank you for your Word and for your promise of new and unending life. We thank you for speaking with authority. Help us to hear you when you speak to us. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 20, 2023 - John 10:27-28 – “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.”

This verse is set at the time of the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah.) At this festival two themes predominate. 1) God as shepherd of Israel and 2) Israel as God’s sheep. Jesus has earlier told the crowd that he is the Good Shepherd. What is so astounding to the people is that Jesus implies that he is the human embodiment of God’s divine desires. He is one who will tend, support, protect and lead his flock. Naturally people are wondering exactly who is a part of this flock. The word ‘hear’ means to hear in such a way that one understands. The word ‘follow’ comes from that same root. ‘Know’ is a special word that means to recognize and come to understand from experience. It always implies a progression of knowledge, a continued awakening. He is saying in essence that those who listen and come more and more to understand what he says, will follow him. They will not be able to help it. In addition, no matter what happens, they will never be utterly destroyed (perish) or taken by force from him (snatch.) In the midst of a celebration of liberation (Hanukkah,) Jesus reminds us all, that he is our path to liberation, our way to safety, our sole provider and protector. Perhaps today you too need to be reminded that Jesus both embodies divine desire and also speaks in such a way that you can listen and grow every day. Perhaps you need today to remember that you have a guide, provider, and protector in him. Take a moment to close your eyes. Listen to your heart. Still yourself. Your Good Shepherd is there, living in your heart. Anytime you choose, you can listen and follow!

Prayer: Gracious God, we do hear your voice! Thank you that you know us so well and that your protection is so complete. Help us today to follow where you lead. Thank you! We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 21, 2023 - Mark 5:19 – “But Jesus refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.”

These verses come at the end of the strange story of Jesus’ healing of the Gerasene demoniac who called himself Legion. This man was beset with difficulties. We don’t know exactly what was wrong with him. Was it mental illness? Was it demon possession? Was it some other oppression? What we do know is that he served as a representative of the worst of human alienation, chaos, violence, and disorder. His life had degenerated so far that he lived among the tombs with the dead and howled and bruised himself with stones. After Jesus heals him, naturally the man wants to go with Jesus, to accompany him and help him. Jesus refuses. Why? Because he needs him to go home and tell his story of grace and restoration to his friends. The word ‘friends’ refers to all of one’s people. Sometimes it is hard for us to want to talk to our friends about Jesus. Sometimes we fear that we can never live down our pasts and those who know our stumbling stories will not listen or accept us. Sometimes we don’t have words with which to describe our experiences of grace and restoration. Sometimes we think that our little experiences aren’t big enough to be worth
mentioning. And, sometimes we are not as obedient as Legion was. Still, most of us have had moments when the grace of God lifted us from confusion, loneliness, despair, and self-harm. We each have stories to share, and we do not have to abandon everything to go across the sea to share them. God needs you and your story today, right where you are, with the people with whom you share life. Are there experiences of God’s grace that you can share with someone today? Ask God to give you words and to keep you mindful and respectful of others and their experiences and needs.

Prayer: Gracious God, Legion wanted nothing but to stay by your side after you healed him. But you had another mission for him, to tell his friends of your goodness. Help us today to answer that call, as well. Thank you! We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 22, 2023 - Mark 6:50b – [Jesus said,] “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Jesus has been traveling and preaching to larger and larger crowds. Today’s verse comes toward the end of the story of Jesus walking to his disciples on the water and calming the contrary wind. He has preached and accomplished the miracle feeding of the thousands. He was exhausted and needed some time alone to pray. He sent his disciples across the lake with the promise that he would meet them later. A fierce storm arises, and the disciples are about to be swamped. They think their end is near when suddenly they see Jesus’ walking toward them on the Sea. They think he is a ghost and are more terrified than they were before. As soon as Jesus sees the shape they are in, he tells them to settle down, keep their wits about them, and not to be afraid. It is not the creation miracle in the passage that I love most, as amazing as it is. It is not the settling of the storm or the walking on water that most impresses me. What I love most is that in this living parable, Jesus tells us that when he is present there is no room for fear. Why? Because divine love fills every atom of life. When we awaken to that reality, fear loses its power. It may not disappear completely. It did not for the disciples, and they were with him physically. But still. In the presence of Christ, fear forever changes, and we can settle down and let God be God. Is there anything today that is unsettling you, causing you to imagine the worst, or give up? If so, take a moment to identify those things and re-read this verse. Remind yourself that Jesus can conquer the wild wind and anything else that may seem to threaten you. When you think you are going down, he is right there next to you, and that changes everything!

Prayer: Gracious God, on a stormy night we do not always recognize you. Thank you, though, that you are always there with your great love to calm our fears. Thank you for your presence and comfort. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 23, 2023 - Luke 1:38a – “Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

In this most miraculous of stories, the angel Gabriel has come to a young Hebrew woman of limited means as she plans for her marriage. In every way this story astounds us. Why would God choose her, an unmarried woman? How could it be that God would decide to come to birth as a human infant? What astounds me even more is that she agreed to this plan, knowing that she risked her marriage, her future security, her reputation and even her life. Mary’s “Here I am” makes me wonder how truly available I am willing to be to God. Mary is often called the God-bearer, for indeed, that is what she is. We too are called to be God-bearers in our own small ways each day. How can we bring Jesus into the situations of our lives and communities? How can we labor to bring God’s saving grace and healing love to those around us? What risks are we willing to take simply because we believe God wants, or needs, us to do so? If you ever wonder what your mission is in life, what you were created to be and do, pause, and pray Mary’s declaration, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” When we offer ourselves to be used by God to bring the love of Jesus to those around us, we may be sure that opportunities will abound. They may be costly and risky, but they will be the reason for which we were born.

Prayer: Gracious God, Mary’s prayer is often the prayer of our hearts but not of our actions. Help us to offer ourselves to you completely so that you can use us to further your reign. Thank you! We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 24, 2023 -Acts 2:46-47 – “Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the good will of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”

Despite beautiful snapshots of daily life and practice like today’s verses, the early believers were no more perfect than we are. In Acts we see descriptions of passionate prayer, worship, service and sharing. We also see selfishness, greed, deceit, and the terrible consequences of wanting to appear more generous and faithful than they really were. Even at their worst, the early believers carried with them a vision of what it meant to live a life transformed by the Spirit of Christ. Here we see what the church at its best is supposed to be: a group of people who worship together, get to know each other intimately around shared meals, focus on the positive emotions of gladness, generosity and praise, and welcome others into the life of salvation wholeness. While our churches sometimes fail, just as the early communities did, we too strive for those characteristics to deepen in us and to become more obvious to others. Starting tomorrow, for the rest of this month we will focus on scriptures dealing with praise, especially with regard to creation. Before we do that, though, take a moment today to think about the life of your congregation in light of the Acts passage we are considering. Try not to use it as a pass-fail test. Try not to judge yourself or others harshly. Rather, consider how you may grow in each of these areas of worship, fellowship, generosity, praise and welcome. Notice if you feel a particular urge in one area more than the others. In prayer, ask God to show you how you are being led in that way. As you complete your prayer time, thank God for the opportunity to live out the faith in your church.

Prayer: Gracious God, the image of your early church is winsome and alluring. Give us today that same spirit of wonder, generosity, and praise. Thank you! We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 25, 2023 - Psalm 8:1;3-4 - O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth...When I look at your heavens, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?

The book of Psalms is the prayerbook and hymnal of God’s people. In each song/poem/prayer we find a window into human experience lived out in the presence of God. We laugh and dance. We weep and mourn. We celebrate and praise. In Psalm 8 we experience awe and wonder that leaves us humbled. This psalm celebrates God the Creator. The psalmist looks up into the night sky and is overwhelmed with the majesty of God’s creation. He is humbled when he considers the smallness of humanity in the presence of the vastness of earth and space. He is especially amazed that God tells us that we are created in God’s own image. Some commentators say that this psalm is a celebration of Genesis 1 set to music. The context of the song is worship, worship that invites participants to consider our role in the created order and to lavish praise on God for the majesty of creation. Take some time today to go outside, if you are able, or look out of your window or at a painting or photograph of the natural world. Focus all of your attention on what you see. If you are in your own garden, slip off your shoes and feel the earth beneath your feet. Remember that you are on holy ground. You are standing on God’s creative love that burst forth into creation itself. Take a moment to consider your responsibility for the good earth that we humans have been charged with tending and protecting for future generations. How can you praise God today by working for the wellbeing of the created order, the land, the sea, the air and all their creatures.

Prayer: O God of majesty, we are awed by your unfathomable creation. We are humbled by our place in it and the responsibility you give us to tend what you have made. Help us today to live in awe and wonder and to work for the redemption of the earth. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 26, 2023 - Psalm 65:9 – You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it.

Psalm 65 is a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving for the bounties of creation. Please take a moment to read the whole psalm in your own Bible. Verses 9-13 suggest that the people are gathered to worship God in the spring time when the autumn and winter rains have softened the earth and filled worshippers with the hope and promise of a bountiful harvest. In whatever season we find ourselves, it is always appropriate to thank God for the bounties of creation, and to recognize our dependence on God for our sustenance. Sometimes we act like spoiled toddlers who throw their food on the floor without knowing or caring what is good for us, or what it has cost to provide for us. In what ways today can you praise God for your daily food? Take a moment to pray for those who plant, tend, and harvest the food you eat. They are God’s hands and feet laboring to sustain your life. If you live in a rural area, as you go about your daily tasks, notice the fields near-by. What do you see? Are the grapes nearly ready for harvest? Is corn being plowed under or gathered for the animals? Are tomato plants offering their last sweet fruit of the season? Are fishing boats on the horizon? Are there farmers’ markets nearby where you can shop for local and seasonal produce? Today, ask God to open your eyes to see the bounty of the land and the goodness of those who labor upon it. Ask God how you can support sustainable farming practices and do your part to tend the earth. When answers or nudges come, thank God for the guidance and act on it.

Prayer: O Bountiful God, we thank you that you have provided us with what we need. We know that some do not have enough, while others waste too much. Help us, God, to be grateful for what we have, not to over consume, and to support action and policies that address hunger in our area and around the world. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 27, 2023 – Psalm 19:1 -The heavens are telling the glory of God; the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Psalm 19 is composed of two originally independent poems. One celebrates the revelation of God through the gift of God’s Law, and the other the revelation of God through the created order itself. The 16th century reformer, John Calvin, recognized this as he organized and led in his church in Geneva Switzerland. He taught his parishioners that there were two ways of coming to know God. One was, obviously, the scripture. The second was what he called ‘the theater of the creatures.’ In other words, we learn a bit more about who God is by studying what God has created. Calvin urged his followers to build their houses of stone so as not to cut down too many trees. He told them to pay special attention to bees as they were absolutely necessary for the life cycles of all things. He told them that when they were discouraged to look at the night sky, marvel at the stars and the One who set them in their courses. This evening, when you have finished with all of the duties of the day, perhaps just before you go to bed, step outside if you are able and look up. Can you see the stars? Are there clouds that block your view? Is it a full moon or the slimmest imaginable crescent? If you are able to see the moon and the stars, focus on them for a moment. You may notice as you to that that they seem to draw closer to you, as if in an embrace. Breathe deeply and thank God for the majesty of creation and the loving embrace of the stars. As you turn off the lights for the evening, close your eyes and see if you can imagine the Milky Way. See the swirling light of God’s creation in your mind’s eye and thank God. Before sleep, ask God to show you your own role in the created order and how you can tend to the wonders of God.

Prayer: O God who spins the planets, we thank you for the wonders of the entire universe. We especially thank you for this tiny ball on which we live. Help us God of Wonder, to treat the earth, its creatures, and the whole human family as the sacred wonders that we are. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 28, 2023 – Psalm 98:4-6 - Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

Psalm 98 is one of the enthronement psalms. This psalm celebrates God as the savior, ruler, and judge of Israel. God’s majesty and faithfulness is certainly worthy of praise! It is touching that the psalmist calls the whole creation to praise God. In the case of this psalm, earth is called to praise God wildly and joyously because God’s rule is being established in new and perfect ways. In what ways can you see God’s rule being established in new ways that lead the earth itself to sing praises? Think for a moment about the steps that people take to ease and reverse environmental harm. Do you see solar panels in your neighborhood? Does the community support recycling efforts? Have you and your family thought prayerfully about what you consume and what you can share or re-purpose when no longer needed? Is your congregation an Earth Care congregation? What choices did that decision lead your leaders to make? Are there low income or elderly neighbors who do not have the resources to do some of these things? How might you assist them? As you think about the earth’s calling to sing praises, listen to the song your heart sings. Can you hear the earth breaking forth in riotous praise in celebration of your actions? If not, listen again. The earth sings a joyful song in thanksgiving to God for even your smallest efforts!

Prayer: O God of the Joyful Song, we thank you that you call the earth to praise you. Help us to make choices that gladden the earth. Help us refuse any choice that makes the earth’s joy difficult and our own praise shallow. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 29, 2023 – Psalm 96:11-13a Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth.

Psalms 96-99 are songs used at festivals celebrating God powerful reign over God’s people. Some scholars suggest that these hymns were used in the autumn as a way of reminding people that God rules all of life, including the changes of season and harvest. Regardless of their original use, it is clear that these songs are calls to praise for life in all its forms. Waves as songs of praise, shooting stars as heavenly rejoicing, fields jumping in exultation, and trees of the forest singing are beautiful images that remind us of how interconnected we are with creation itself. They also suggest that creation dances and sings at the thought of God’s rule. It is in that rule that creation finds its purpose, meaning and sustainability. Human rule often treats creation as an object to be used, controlled, monetized, and even used up. That picture is one of struggle and lament more than praise. What might you do today to assist a groaning creation? We can all make small choices that make a difference. Small choices, while vital, are no longer enough. Can you identify policies in your community, state and nation that you can support that faithfully address the large-scale changes that humans must make to help the earth rejoice? Have leaders in your area made good choices for which you can thank them? Take a moment today to affirm what is positive and encourage change where it is needed. This may not feel like spiritual work, but it most certainly is! When the earth is widely governed by God’s law of love, compassion and sharing, the earth will rejoice, and God’s people will take up the song!

Prayer: O God of Creation’s Song, we thank you for the world you have made and for giving us the capacity to bring healing and restoration to it. Help us today to see your holy hand everywhere we look, and to make our choices with you in mind. We especially ask you to share with us your dreams for the mission and ministry of our church. How can we serve you? Amen.

September 30, 2023 – Gen. 2:15 – The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.

In this second story of creation in the book of Genesis, we see clearly that a part of the purpose of humankind is to attend to and protect the needs of the earth so that it can sustain the human family and the creatures with whom we share the planet. Of course in the following verses we clearly see that human beings become hopelessly self-centered, refuse to live with any boundaries, and get cast out of the garden of delight. It is then that tending and protecting turn into toiling and wallowing. But here, in this one beautiful verse, lavish with potential, we see who we are and what our job is in the created order. Granted there is a snake in the garden. Granted we have listened to the snake. Granted we cannot put the fruit back on the tree. Still, as with Adam and Eve, God does not give up on us. God allows Adam and Eve to live with the consequences of the faithless choices, to be sure. But God personally sews new clothes for them to protect them from the worst of their vulnerability and shame. In the book of Revelation, we see God’s intention to restore creation. We Christians believe that the cross of Christ has once again made us partners with God in the restoration of a new heaven and a new earth. So how do we till and keep the earth? The word ‘keep’ means to preserve, to protect from harm, to guard what is most essential. Can you think of ways that you can commit to that God given work? How might the church partner with God in guarding and protecting the earth? What are the sins that must be exposed and renounced? What are the new clothes that God may be longing to sew for us so that we can get back to our original purpose? Sit quietly with these questions for a moment. Tell God that you are ready to listen and see what happens.

Prayer: O God of New Starts, we thank you that you do not give up on us. We thank you that you created us for a wondrous purpose, to love you and tend your creation. Help us today to listen and follow where you lead. We thank you for these days of prayer and for the insights you have shared with us. Help us now, O God, to live what we have received, day by day. Amen.