Responding with Gratitude - Pt. 3

 

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (Ephesians 4:1-7 ESV).

 

Again, we return to tis reading for today’s devotional. Did you notice the Apostle Paul’s strong encouragement to Make every effort to “maintain unity” in this reading? He says, “… be eager” toward an attitude of unity and a bond of peace. Paul urges us as followers of Christ to “keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” As Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (cf. Matthew 5). When we strive to live together in peace, the Spirit brings unity, but each of us can promote unity or destroy it. The unity of the church and of society must be preserved by the bond of peace. In Christ we have found peace with God; he came to save us even though we were his enemies (cf. Romans 5:8-11). Jesus is the Prince of Peace (cf. Isaiah 9:6), and he invites us to make peace in his name.

 

This is certainly a contemporary issue we ought to be aware of in our families, our churches, and our communities. We have not be as divided as a nation as we are today since the War Between the States. How could we have become so divided? Many people would point to the extreme differences in philosophy and belief; however, I think it is a deeper problem than that.

 

The people around us will not always be nice, fair, or do what is right. But even then, our role is to bring peace. We do this in our families, our churches, and wherever we spend our workdays. In this way we can help to make our world a place that reflects more of the values of God’s kingdom. This is rooted in the grace of God given freely, though pricelessly procured by the death of God’s only begotten Son (cf. John 3:16). How can we hate one another knowing God loved every one of us? Respond to others with understanding and grace in every circumstance of life.

 

Responding with Gratitude - Pt. 2

I therefore, ma prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (Ephesians 4:1-7 ESV).

 

I am returning to yesterday’s reading for a thought today. The Apostle Paul begins with what would have been extremely difficult for the people of his culture to understand. For example, look at the experience of Jesus going to Zacchaeus’ house for dinner and conversation (cf. Luke 19:1-10). Remember that in Jesus’ day people despised the local tax collectors for collaborating with the Romans, who had taken over their nation. The tax collectors could also overcharge people in order to pay themselves, so they often got rich at the expense of their local community.

 

When Jesus came to visit, he shocked Zacchaeus, the local tax collector, and everyone in the crowd by inviting himself to stay at Zacchaeus’s house. In this way Jesus showed Zacchaeus great honor and respect, and that turned Zacchaeus’s life around. The tax collector stood up and acknowledged his wrongdoing, made amends, and gave half of his wealth to the poor. What joy in the city of Jericho!

 

Zacchaeus met grace in the person of Jesus, who accepted and honored him instead of rejecting him. He was overwhelmed and humbled, and immediately he became generous to the people around him. In Ephesians, Paul invites us to live a life that responds to God’s grace. He calls Christians to be humble, gentle, and patient. As people who have received generous grace, we are called to live gracious lives. God's grace to us fuels us to show grace and generosity to others.

 

This is all a part of our gratitude toward the immeasurable gift of God through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Our eternal life is not something we deserve or earn. We could not have done anything to obtain it. That is the grace of God. For that we must be grateful. This means showing humility in the face of both victory and defeat. Apply that in your life today! 

Responding with Gratitude - Pt. 1

 

I therefore, ma prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (Ephesians 4:1-7 ESV).

 

With the beginning of November, we begin a particularly delightful season of the year. Most of the things I like to do take place in the fall of the year. The sights and sounds of the next two months make me rejoice with fond memories of years past. I hope you can have some of that as well in the next few weeks as we explore how we might respond to the grace of God with gratitude. In order to accomplish this I will be focusing on Ephesians 4-6. I pray these devotional readings will also prompt us to reflect on various Scripture passages to highlight many aspects of living a life of gratitude, including practical actions like showing humility, being gracious, striving for unity, and serving others.

 

I will also be drawing from my experiences both from ministry and personal interactions with others to emphasize the call to respond to God's grace by living transformed lives. He challenges us to examine our relationships, actions, and attitudes considering God's mercy and love.

 

Through reflections on honesty, self-control, and generosity, these devotions encourage readers to embrace the new life offered in Christ, embodying gratitude in every aspect of daily living. Because of Christ’s saving work on the cross, we are called to live out our gratitude in ways that reflect the transforming power of God's grace. Make a commitment today to use this time as we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas to consider just how you are expressing your gratitude both to God and to others.

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 20

 

And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?” (Mark 14:32-41 ESV).

 

Today’s reading makes it very easy for us to condemn the disciples. However, we have all been in such a place. They had eaten a full meal, and it had been a long day. The disciples had experienced several days that were really challenging—emotionally and physically. They were worn out and tired. Even in the cool night air, they could barely stay awake. They knew they needed be alert because Jesus has asked them to keep watch, but their eyelids were getting heavier by the moment. Soon their heads bobbed, and they were fast asleep. They didn’t plan it that way. Jesus nudges them awake and asks, “Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?” Startled, they hear him say, “Watch and pray.” They must have nodded in agreement, feeling horrible that they hadn’t managed to stay awake. He steps away, and the heaviness settles in again. Their eyelids close. Later he wakes them again, and they don’t know what to say. Then a third time they are awakened—and now there is a crowd coming. Sleep vanishes. They look at the one who asked them to pray, and he is in the hands of his enemies!

 

Though our lives today are much different from the disciples’, the need for staying alert and praying is not. Our world needs our attention, and the Lord is calling us to stand watch. It is encouraging to know that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father, praying for us (cf. Romans 8:34), but today he still needs us to do the same for his world and for all God’s children in it. Stay alert!

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 2

 

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he [Jesus] said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. You are those who have stayed with me win my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:24-30 ESV).

 

It is amazing how things change through the years. No doubt you have experienced the “game” of calling shotgun when your children ride with you. Perhaps you are not aware of the origin of “riding shotgun.” In the early years of transportation in our country people travelled by stagecoach. Often the route went through some dangerous territory. The threat from highwaymen or marauding gangs was very real. Therefore, someone was always assigned the seat by the driver as a guard. Because the roads were often uneven and bumpy, the guard carried a shotgun for protection. The aim was not as critical as it might be with other types of firearms. It was a very important seat. Today the “shotgun” seat is more about comfort and convenience, which makes it the preferred seat.

 

Today’s reading is rooted in the disciples’ desire to be in the preferred position of the new kingdom Jesus was establishing. Our desire to be in first place can get in the way of how we respond to a situation. Can you imagine being at the Last Supper with Jesus and having an argument break out about who is the greatest? Had the disciples learned nothing from Jesus about service in God’s kingdom?

 

Jesus patiently tried again. He told his disciples that they were not like kings and other worldly leaders who lorded it over others; instead, his followers were citizens of heaven, where serving is more important than being served. He said, “I am among you as one who serves.” And he assured them they would be able to eat and drink at the table in God’s kingdom, but the time for that would come later. As you reflect on this story, what is your posture? Do you need to be seen, or are you willing to open doors so that others will be treated in a way that brings glory to God?

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 18

 

So he [Jesus] told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:3-10 ESV).

 

I have a few things that are very special to me. Some of them are heirlooms from family, others are meaningful for the memories they bring to me from times past. These are things that I “save” in very “secure” places. My problem is that these secure places are often forgotten. Thankfully Mary remembers where I put them and they are not lost to me. A few days ago, I looked where I thought I had put our voter registration cards to make sure everything was in order to vote early. I looked in my Aggie accessories box and found mine, though Mary’s was not there. I wondered why I would have put mine and not hers in the same place. I looked all over the house. Finally, somewhat distraught, I asked her if she had seen her card. She responded with, “It’s in my purse.” I know I didn’t put it there and asked if she had put it there. Thankfully she had and my relief was palpable.

 

Like the woman in our reading who found her lost coin, I celebrated. For her, the loss of a coin that was worth a day’s wages was significant. She was determined to find it, and when she did, she wanted to celebrate with her friends and neighbors. In this story, like the other ones in Luke 15, Jesus is illustrating how important it is when one of his children, who has been lost, is found and can be brought back into his family. Even the angels sing and celebrate.

 

Jesus’ story is a thoughtful reminder that no matter who you are or what your circumstances are today, there is a Savior who is looking for you and watching over you—always.

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 17

 

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:60-69 ESV).

 

Have you ever had a morning when you crawled wearily out of bed, stubbed your toe, burnt your toast, and had all kinds of other things go wrong? A day like that makes you want to go straight back to bed. Or maybe the circumstances are harder, and someone is telling you to hang on when you want to let go.

 

I wonder if Jesus’ disciples felt in a way like that when a lot of people turned away from Jesus after he shared some hard but true teachings. I wonder how many times the disciples weren’t quite sure what to do with Jesus. Was it embarrassing or confusing or overwhelming for them? Already fully committed to Jesus, they knew they couldn’t give up or let go. Jesus, who was clearly the Son of God, had met the longings of their hearts—and even on the worst days they had experienced, they knew that traveling with Jesus was enough. When he asked, “Are you going to leave too?” Peter replied with words that confirmed what the disciples were feeling: “There’s no one else to go to, and you are all we need.”

 

On days when you feel like giving up, throwing in the towel, or walking away from your faith, where will you go? It is too much to walk away from the one who holds you close through his presence and his words. By his character he assures you that even on a bad day, he is there.