The Boring Parts - Pt 2

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats' hair, tanned rams' skins, goatskins, acacia wood, oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it. (Exodus 25:1-9 ESV).

After the first of the genealogies we have a lengthy historical section from Moses that brings us to the completion of the development of Israel and the beginning of the development of the sacrificial system which was still in practice at the time of Jesus. However, at the end of this we see several chapters devoted to the details of the construction of the Tabernacle and all of the things associated with it. Our reading today is just the beginning of this section.

 

Let’s review a bit. In Genesis 6–9 we witness the population of the world narrowed down to just Noah and his 3 sons and their families. The begats of the Bible pick up again in Genesis 10 focusing in on the descendants of just one of Noah’s sons, Shem; and, finally on one descendant of Shem, Abraham, to whom God makes incredible promises. Further lists help us to trace the coming of the promised descendant through Isaac and Jacob and Judah and David until we read “when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman” (Galatians 4:4). Keeping our focus on Him helps to keep us from making the Bible all about us instead of all about him. Remember, as I said yesterday, even the parts of the Bible we deem to be boring are significant because they are God’s word to us.

The book of Exodus begins with the vivid story of a baby in a basket on the Nile River who becomes the deliverer of God’s people from their slavery in Egypt. On their way to the Promised Land, God gives Moses detailed instructions for the design of the tent they are to construct in which God will come down to dwell among them. In the detail of the design we see gourds and open flowers woven into the fabrics, a basin made to look like a lily, lamp stands made to look like trees with branches. The writer of Hebrews says the tabernacle and later the temple were “copies of the true things” and “a shadow of the good things to come” (cf. Hebrews 8:5; 9:24; and 10:1). This detail ought to fill us with anticipation for the beauty and perfection of the new heavens and new earth. That’s not boring!

The Boring Parts - Pt 1

This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died. When Seth had lived 105 years, he fathered Enosh. Seth lived after he fathered Enosh 807 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died. After Noah was 500 years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Genesis 5:1-5; 32 ESV).

I saw a new book recently that deals with boredom. I can honestly say that I do not need to reazd that one right now in my life! However, the title, “One Big Yawn,” was intriguing. I began to think of some of the different passages in the Bible that might be classified under this title. Let’s admit it, there are certain parts of the Bible we merely skim across simply because we think they’re boring. They may repetitive, overly detailed, full of names and places we can’t pronounce; and, we come to the conclusion that we really don’t need to bother with them. Our reading today is one of those passages. After all, what difference does it make who begat who. However, every verse of the Scripture is important. If it weren’t then why would God have included it? Why wouldn’t the keepers of the Scripture through the millennia simply have lost track of these passages? Even the parts of the Bible we deem to be boring are significant because they are God’s word to us. Today I am going to start a little series dealing with the best things about the boring parts of the Bible. The first of those are the genealogies. Let’s remember the context of this passage. After this incredible accounting of the creation and the cosmic disaster of Adam and Eve’s disobedience and fall, the story of the Bible slows down in Genesis by tracing the sons of Adam and Eve’s son, Seth, through numerous generations. The importance of these lines of the generations is found in the promise of God after the judgment of Adam and Eve. God made a promise (cf. Genesis 3:15) about a particular descendant of Eve. The whole of the Bible is most significantly about this descendant. Tracing the line of descendants from Adam and Eve forward keeps us tuned in to what is most important in the Bible’s story, or really who is most important — the promised offspring who will one day be born and will do battle with the offspring of the ancient serpent and win. After all, without Jesus what is the impact of the Bible? Genealogies are important in that they confirm the truth of God’s promises. We can depend on His word. That’s good news!

Upside Down Kingdom - Pt 4

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined lto be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:26-30 ESV). The fourth principle of this “Upside Down Kingdom” is that our weakness actually serves to build our trust in God’s wise and loving providence. We learn obedience to God as we experience that nothing can separate us from his Spirit. God never leaves us nor forsakes us no matter how difficult things become. We learn that he knows exactly what he is doing at all times, what he is up to through our trials, even when we can’t comprehend it.

Just as the sun breaks through the clouds of every storm, so God works all our suffering for good. It is a promise that has been testing by time and proven true. That allows us to grumble a little less about our circumstance. We can learn a bit more consistency in submission to our Savior and Lord, no matter what he brings our way. Our stiff necks grow a bit more flexible. We grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (cf. 2 Peter 3:18). In Finishing Our Course with Joy, Packer defines spiritual maturity like this: “Spiritual maturity is a deep, well-tested relationship to our triune God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and a quality of relationship with both believers and unbelievers that embraces concern, sympathy, warmth, care, wisdom, insight, discernment, and understanding.” This also leads us to develop the character that neither thinks more highly, nor less, of others than we ought. There are various kinds of weak believers: the sick, disabled, elderly, poor, those not intellectually gifted, those with unimpressive occupations, the socially marginalized (to whom little opportunity is given and from whom little is expected). Some of the most sympathetic, caring, and wise people I have been privileged to meet and know fit one or more of those descriptions. Their relationship with God has been tested and their character refined. Our weakness reminds us that the marks of spiritual maturity are not the abilities lauded by the world. The great and ironic wisdom of the cross is that God chooses the foolish, weak, low, and despised to shame the strong and shut the mouths of the proud. God uses our weaknesses to remind us of important gospel truths and to refine our trust in him.

Upside Down Kingdom - Pt 3

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:18-25 ESV).

One summer night as Mary and I were finishing our drive through Cade’s Cove in the Smoky Mountains, I saw the sunset pictured below. I paused to take the picture and was reminded again that even as magnificent nature is today, it too is longing for redemption. All of creation has suffered under our sin. However, we can see in the third principle revealed in our reading today that our weakness serves to remind us that while we deserve wrath, we have received grace. All of creation, ourselves included, suffers corruption, pain, and weakness because of the sin of our first parents. And each of us individually has earned the just wrath of God for our own multitude of sins (cf. Romans 3:23), let alone a little suffering in this life. We don’t deserve a weight of glory (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:17), but a weight of wrath. Yet this world and our lives abound with so many good gifts from God. And we Christians have the best gift, Christ, who is our life and our eternal treasure. We have been spared God’s righteous wrath, redeemed, forgiven by God, reconciled to him, justified, adopted into his family. What mercy! This reminder bears the fruit of sympathy and kindness. In our weakness we may be reminded of God’s tender mercy and forbearance toward us. We are assisted by the Spirit to better embody Ephesians 4:32-5:2: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” While this principle is counter-intuitive, it is a basic part of the fabric of God’s design. As we have received mercy and grace we are strengthened to persevere and give that mercy and grace to others.

Upside Down Kingdom - Pt 2

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away. (Matthew 19:13-15 ESV).

As we continue our series in specific prayers for our family, today I encourage you to pray that Jesus will call them and no one will hinder them from coming. I found a picture of a t-shirt recently that was both expressive and humorous. My sincere hope is that I will not receive any visits from law enforcement when their computer filters pick up this photo though! It does express a very important principle of prayer for our families. Our reading today helps us understand how important it is for our children to have as clear and unhindered a path to Jesus as possible. The shirt is a bit violent sounding, but it expresses the seriousness of our need to protect our children and grandchildren as much as possible. Let me make a few suggestions: A part of that protection is in how we model our own faith and journey. There are so many things that vie for our attention. We can become distracted so easily. Those distractions typically become stumbling blocks for our family. We have practiced the “do as I say and not what I do” pattern of teaching far too long. What we do counts. We also need to be careful about what allow into our children’s lives. The culture in which we live has not valued childhood as it should. Innocence has often been lost in the name of getting better, or doing it faster. Technology has become a god of its own in promoting knowledge for sake of knowledge. Protect their childhood. Allow them to grow and mature at an appropriate pace. And, of course, pray for their individual journey. Prayer cannot be minimized. It is an expression of a deep-seated commitment and desire. In this case that commitment and desire is rooted in the well being of our children and grandchildren. Of course, I am not suggesting violence toward those who threaten our families. Although a good scare might be in order. I still have a target silhouette with a group of fifty well place shots from my .40 caliber Glock hanging in my shop that I may be sure any prospective dates for my granddaughters see before they actually go out (just kidding – sort of). Well, you get the idea. Pray and work that they will not be hindered from coming to Jesus.

Upside Down Kingdom - Pt 1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:1-8 ESV).

Today we will examine the second principle in this “Upside Down Kingdom”: weakness reminds us that God will give us new bodies. Our aches and pains and inabilities point us to our future perfected body and soul. Feeling like you have one foot in the grave reminds you that you have one foot, already, in glory. Our longing for the resurrection is increased by weakness. That feeling of weakness and inadequacy serves to remind us that God’s design is to steadily move us down a path leading us to our real home. Years ago Mary and I acquired a print of a watercolor by Jim Gray titled “A Light in the Window.” It is one of many from this very talented artist that we have in our home. It is a reminder to me that he does indeed leave a light on for us to come home to. That is my destination. J.I. Packer expresses it well. He writes: Our new body . . . will match and perfectly express our perfected new heart, that is, our renewed moral and spiritual nature and character.” Our present weakness increases our yearning for the day when Christ gives us a new body that “will never deteriorate, but will keep its newness for all eternity.” The Christian hope, says Packer, “is understood not in the weak sense of optimistic whistling in the dark, but in the strong sense of certainty about what is coming because God himself has promised it. The Apostle Paul reminds us in our reading today that this produces hopefulness and endurance. He says those who have learned to rejoice in their sufferings will endure through trials, trusting God and growing in Christ. That is because they look back to God’s reconciling mercy at the cross and forward to their full and final deliverance at Christ’s return. Every day I like to remind myself I’m that much closer to home. It enables me to take that one-more-step.

One More Step

And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. (Luke 23:26-27 ESV).

Today we are going to look at what I have taken to calling “the principle of one more step.” On Tuesday of this week I spent the day setting the posts and building the frame for the extension of our deck. We are going to the end of the house with the deck and that requires another section 16’ in length and 12’ wide. In order to support the decking, I needed thirty posts for the floor joists. Since the soil is clay and rock a small auger is not very effective. I was forced to dig each one with a shovel, pick axe, and post-hole digger. As you can see in this picture of the first part of the deck, it’s not as if we didn’t have enough to start with. I built that section in November. Have I mentioned that it is significantly hotter in June than it is in November in Texas? And, have I mentioned that digging thirty post holes in the heat of a Texas summer day is not my idea of fun? I was smart enough to begin early in the day. However, I was not smart enough to come in after it began to heat up. I really wanted to finish this part of the project by the end of the day. As the day wore on, the heat continued to take its toll on my ability to continue. In fact, by the end of the day, I still had the concrete to pour in the post holes to finish. I really wanted to quit. I was tired and no amount of sitting down for a minute or two was helping. I decided I would just pour one sack of concrete. I took the wheelbarrow and loaded it with one sack and immediately thought, “Well, maybe I can get just one more.” So I took two around to the site. Finishing that, I thought, “Maybe I can do two more.” I did. And, before you knew it all ten were finished. All ten bags was a task too large, while one at a time was more manageable. This is the principle Jesus models for us in our reading today. Carrying the cross all the way to Golgotha was physically too much to bear. Tradition tells us that he fell three times under the load until the soldiers compelled Simon to carry the cross for him. “One more step” allowed Jesus to finish what he started. We see from his emotionally charged prayer on Gethsemane the night before that he was struggling with his death. It was overwhelming to think of the whole of the experience; yet as he began to move forward with each phase of the ordeal he was able to finish. That’s the secret. We become so future-minded and goal driven that we often forget the individual steps. Completing each of those brings us that much nearer to the end. Whatever you are walking through today, please be encouraged to simply take one more step. That step may look very small in the fact of the whole task, but it is enough. Celebrate the taking of that step. It is a success in itself. God will give you the strength and direction for the next one; just take one. It may even mean depending on someone else to help. That, too, is a step. Take it.

Generosity

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. (2 Corinthians 9:6-12 ESV).

The last we will examine on the list, though not the last of things to add to it, is generosity. The Apostle Paul in writing to the young, troubled church in Corinth helps them understand how important the principle of generosity is in their lives. This is true for us as well. I am particular to pray for my family that they will be generous and gracious in their compassion for others and their sharing of the blessings God has given them. There are two principles at work in this prayer re quest. First, it provides for a freedom from materialism. Another benefit of giving is freedom. It’s a matter of basic physics. The greater the mass, the greater the hold that mass exerts. The more things we own, the greater their total mass, and the more they grip us, setting us in orbit around them. Finally, like a black hole, they suck us in. Giving changes all that. It breaks us out of orbit around our possessions. We escape their gravity, entering a new orbit around our treasures in Heaven. Second. It allows an infusion of joy into their lives. On more than one occasion I have heard the testimonies of those who have learned to be generous with their time, talent, and resources. I have seen people with joy in their eyes telling how God has touched their lives through helping the needy, in hands-on ways as well as through their giving. When Jesus spoke of the man who found the treasure in the field, he emphasized how "in his joy" the man went and sold all that he had to gain the treasure (cf. Matthew 13:44). We're not supposed to feel sorry for the man because it cost him everything. Rather, we're supposed to imitate him. It cost him, yes, but it gained him everything he wanted! It filled him with joy. The benefits vastly outweighed the costs. God delights in our cheerfulness in giving. He wants us to find joy. But if we don’t give, we’re robbed of the source of joy God instructs us to seek! Make that principle a part of your prayer life.

The Unequal Yoke

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ESV). The next prayer on my list is a little more complicated than it appears at first read. However, it is essential. I pray that they will not be unequally yoked in intimate relationships, especially marriage. While this request is most applicable in marriage, it also applies to other partnerships as well. It is true in commercial, religious, and philanthropic ventures as well as marriage.

The principle is easily illustrated as is shown with the oxen and the donkey. As you can see here, the donkey and the bull that are plowing together look very uncomfortable. The yoke linking them together, intended for two animals of similar size and strength makes both beasts suffer. Normally, a farmer would not impose such a hardship on his animals. But if he did not have two bulls, he might yoke together two animals he had available. Apparently, this is what the farmer in the above donkey and ox picture decided to do. Because of the difference in their weight and strength, the weaker animal would have to struggle to keep up the pace, and the stronger would have a greater burden. The great complication in this prayer comes at the point of our emotions. Often the heart is involved long before the mind. In teaching this principle to our children we must set an example of a clear balance of being “in the world, but not of the world” (cf. John 17:6 ESV). Clear boundaries should be developed and taught with a goal of finding God’s partnerships wherever we may involve ourselves. I have often wondered in the midst of marriage and family counseling how much of a difference it would be if both parties would find a way to be equally yoked, especially in the case where one is a believer and the other isn’t. When this is the case I have seen disaster strike inevitably and conclusively. Those relationships simply don’t work well. I have also seen the blessing of God when an equal yoke is entered into. Pray for that in the lives of your children and grandchildren.

Two Simple Laws

But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:34-40 ESV). We are continuing to look at some specific prayers to add to our “list” in regard to our families. I haven’t put them in any particular order. They are things that I simply pray for my children and grandchildren so that they may live the kinds of lives that will produce the best of life for them. The next on my list is that they would experience sanctification through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit and would increasingly desire to fulfill the greatest commandments.

I found this wonderful little meme the other day and it seemed to express this vital truth in our reading so well. Jesus revealed that all of the Old Testament laws were designed to instruct us how to love God and love others. In Jesus’ day (as in our day as well) the religious leaders had become so obsessed with keeping every minor detail of the law that they had lost sight of its ultimate purpose. Jesus declares that they neither loved God nor their fellow man. They loved keeping their laws. I grew up as a Roman Catholic. I can easily remember the countless hours spent studying catechism in preparation for whatever “next step” in my development through the sacraments of the church. While I was never concerned with how many of these were required, I was very concerned that I not get on the bad side of Sister John Edwards! Today’s research shows that there are seven major church laws, with thirty-six additional “collections” revolving around these basic laws. The Jews were more detailed than that. There are thousands of rabbinical teachings that amplify the laws developed through the years since Moses gave the nation the commandments. The Old Testament law and the New Testament concept of grace compel men to the same end. Simply stated that is to love God and their fellowmen. The New Testament concept of grace freely gives men a God-kind of love that is unconditional and tells them to love others as they are loved. It is possible to display actions of holiness, but not love God. It is impossible for God’s kind of love not to produce holiness. So, my prayer has always been for my children to learn to truly love God and others. Add that to your list too.

A Clear Path

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away. (Matthew 19:13-15 ESV). Today we begin continue with a little series describing some things that we can pray for our families that are detailed in Scripture. The first is that Jesus will call them and no one will hinder them from coming. It is a way of praying that they will have a clear path to a deep and meaningful relationship with the Lord. Our reading today shows this principle so clearly. As Jesus was teaching some children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray for them. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Let me illustrate a bit. If you have followed me for any length of time at all you will know that Mary and I have a very special place in our lives in the Smoky Mountains. We have traveled there many times and love to return there no matter how many times we have seen the very same spots. Within the Great Smoky National Park there are many hiking and walking trails. When we were a bit younger we took some of the more challenging trails. Now we seem to be restricted to just walking the “Quiet Walkways” of the park. No matter which we choose we are always rewarded with a pleasant walk through forested canopies sometimes winding their way beside wonderful streams that flow peacefully across the river rocks through the vast areas of the park. They may be a bit uphill or down, but always maintained to make the path as easy as possible. In life’s journey there will always be challenging “hikes.” We like the quiet walkways a bit better, but not every end can be attained by taking these easier paths. As you pray for your family, ask God to make their journey as easy as possible. Ask Him to smooth the way, making each turn very clear and navigable. Pray that even during those parts of their journey that are challenging and difficult they will be able to see their way clearly. Pray for your part in their journey that you would possess the wisdom to help in each of the decisions they make along the way. I have found that even when I “run the list” I am always prompted to pause with each name I call before the Lord and pray for some specific thing related to their journey. As I have now been able to look back on the forty-seven years of marriage Mary and I have enjoyed, my experience is that God has never failed to answer those prayers. Their journey, and mine, has not always been easy, but it has been clear and beautiful.

Praying Your List

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” (John 9:1-9 ESV).

We all have lists of things and people that come to mind as we pray. There’s certainly nothing wrong with praying your list. Mine has gotten longer in the last couple of months as we have two new grandchildren added to our family. Harris and Lucy were born a little over two months ago. And, while they are amazing, today’s devotional won’t deal directly with them. I want to begin to look at several passages of Scripture that will give you some added insight in what you might want to pray specifically for your family. Before we get to these passages, let me remind you prayer is not magic. It’s not a matter of just saying the right things and our families will be blessed with success. Some parents earnestly pray and their children become gifted leaders or scholars or musicians or athletes. Others earnestly pray and their children develop a serious disability or disease or wander through a prodigal wilderness or just struggle more than others socially or academically or athletically. And the truth is, God is answering all these parents’ prayers, but for very different purposes. Our reading today is a reminder of this truth. We must not be too quick to think our prayers have gone unanswered because they are the opposite of our requests. Often our perception of what is best for our family is quite different than what God has in mind. God measures success differently than we do, which is why he often answers our prayers in ways we don’t expect. Tomorrow we’ll begin to look at some specific passages. Today, my encouragement is for you to pray for your family, by name every day. Jesus promises us that if we ask, seek, and knock, the Father will give us good in return (cf. Luke 11:9-13), even if the good isn’t apparent for forty years. And because Jesus regularly asked those who came to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” (cf. Mark 10:51), we know that he wants us to be specific with our requests.

Beautiful but Deadly

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:12-15 ESV).

The Aquarium was a wonderful experience with our granddaughter, Maggie. One of the fish we saw was a Lionfish. These beautiful tropical species are noted for their venomous fin spines, which are capable of producing painful, though rarely fatal, puncture wounds. The fishes have enlarged pectoral fins and elongated dorsal fin spines, and each species bears a particular pattern of bold, zebra-like stripes. When disturbed, the fish spread and display their fins and, if further pressed, will present and attack with the dorsal spines. One of the best-known species is the red lionfish, an impressive fish sometimes kept by fish fanciers. It is striped with red, brown, and white and grows to about 12 inches long. The red lionfish is native to South Pacific reef ecosystems. In the early 21st century the species became established in reef ecosystems along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, in the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Caribbean Sea. Its rapid rate of reproduction, combined with the absence of natural enemies in those regions, resulted in its decimation of local reef fishes and its designation as an invasive species. Wildlife managers suspect that lionfish were deliberately released by pet owners into the ocean along Florida’s Atlantic coast starting in the 1980s, but damage to pet stores caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992 may have also allowed others to escape. They are beautiful, but deadly. Seeing these fish reminded me of our reading today. James is very clear in showing us the progression of sin in our lives. When temptation gives way to sin, and sin is fully operational in our lives it produces death. The tragedy of this sequence is that temptation is always very attractive. You may at first want to argue with that perspective saying that sin is not attractive at all. The problem with that line of reasoning is that it denies the basic nature of man. Sin may not “look” attractive physically; however, it emotionally and spiritually draws us because of our basic nature. At the very heart of a man is rebellion towards the will and purpose of God. Like magnets we are attracted to that which will ultimately lead to our death. So, what do we do to prevent death? I would suggest that the first and most important step in this process is to strengthen that which is truly beautiful. Be diligent in your pursuit of a greater, stronger relationship with Christ. Temptation is not rooted in Him. Build on your relationship to the Lord. That will keep you safe.

Just a Little While

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by ire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV).

Don’t you hate it when it seems as if life has somehow become unbearable? Recently Mary and I went with our youngest grandchildren to the Aquarium in Grapevine. After touring each tank and looking through all the exhibits, we went into the mall area to find something cold to drink. Maggie, who is two, saw the carousel in the food court area and immediately pointed and said, “Ride neigh neigh… ride neigh neigh!” Well, I couldn’t let her down and went and purchased a ticket for a ride while they got their drinks. She was so excited when I went and took her by the hand and went to get on the ride with her. The ride began and she was so happy. Her smile was stretched as far across her face as possible. But, as often is the case with our pleasant experiences, the ride came to an end. I told her it was time to get off and she didn’t like it or understand why we couldn’t continue to ride the “neigh-neigh.” I did manage to get her off the ride; however, when I set her down, she melted down and fell to the floor in tears. Life had become unbearable in the span of a few minutes. What Maggie didn’t understand was that her “suffering” was only for a little while. Peter says that our trials are only for “a little while.” Now for some of us who have been going through a difficult situation for six months, a year, or ten years, the timing may not feel short at all. But it is temporary, not just because of the fact that it will end in time, but it is a “little while” in comparison to the salvation and inheritance we will experience for eternity. This is the type of view Christians must develop. Many people are only thinking about tomorrow or focusing on the next immediate milestone: graduation, marriage or retirement, but that view is too shortsighted. We must develop an eternal perspective. This life is not just about our future career, marriage, or retirement. Do you know we are being prepared for eternity and an eternal destiny? It is not just about getting to heaven. It’s also about the role we will play once we are there. When we view our trials in comparison to eternity, then they become light and momentary; and, joy comes from that.

Happy Friday!

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 3:13-14 ESV).

It’s Friday! While the days of the week are not as significant for me as they once were, I do recognize that God has carried most folks through another week of work, and you are now on the cusp of a new weekend. For many these next two days are free from work duties. It’s an opportunity for rest, leisure, and taking time to think about your lives in the ongoing development of God’s story in your journey. Thankfully we are not left to our own speculation about that. God wrote a book, and within that book is another book, the book of Ecclesiastes. It is the source for our reading today. Ecclesiastes is realistic. It teaches us that life under the sun is often empty, futile, and absurd, and yet it does not run us into the rocks of despair either. The conclusion of the book functions as the lens, the perspective, by which the whole of the book should be read. The writer declares: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (vv. 13-14). When we understand that this world isn’t paradise on earth, we are reminded that nothing is more important than a right relationship with God. Fortunately we can read in the New Testament how God has provided for the restoration of that relationship through the work of Christ. There is another wonderful reminder in Ecclesiastes though. Solomon reminds us of our limitations and finiteness. We read that God “has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). There are those times in my life when I find that very difficult to believe. I still counsel a couple of days each week. I am no less dismayed now than I have ever been. People are suffering just as much now as ever before. The grief of loss and the pain of misfortune seem to invade just as many people as ever before. I am almost always called on the answer for the beauty in those tragedies. My answer is always the same. It’s Friday in our world. I am convinced that the weekend is almost here. You see, that will be time when Jesus restores everything to its original plans and path. I do like Saturday. It seems to be the day that I can exhale and rest in the knowledge that I made it through another week. When Jesus comes, either to take me home or end this world, I will be able to exhale and know that I made it! We’re closer than ever. So, happy Friday, y’all!

Lemons to Lemonade

As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed. (Genesis 39:19-23 ESV).

“Turn your Lemons to lemonade” was the meme I saw recently. I cannot say that I disagree with the basic premise of this practice; however, I am also mindful that it takes great sacrifice for the lemon to become that cool refreshing drink. Think about it. They first have to be crushed to the point that all the juice has been extracted; then they are thrown to the side where their only hope is to be scraped for their added flavoring by the “zest.” Ouch! The pain doesn’t end there though. If there is any consciousness left in the juice they then become acutely aware of being immersed in ice cold water. Really? All of this just for a refreshing drink? I am often tempted to think that I’d be just fine staying a lemon. Life can tempt us toward that thought. We tend to define our life based on our perception of our progress. That perception of failure when we are given less than perfect results in life is based on a false understanding of the truth. Life is never defined by our performance or circumstances. What really makes any life worth living today is the presence and protection of the almighty, all-satisfying God. Joseph’s story proves that. After being sold into slavery by his own brothers, Joseph surprisingly rose to power in perhaps the most powerful empire in the world. The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. But Potiphar’s wife lusted after Joseph and tried to seduce him. When he faithfully refused her advances, she framed him, claiming he had come to her. Her lies ripped him from all his power and responsibility and landed him in prison. He committed no sin, at least not with Potiphar’s wife, neither was deceit found in his mouth, and yet he was treated as worse than a slave, locked away without hope of release. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love; whether in power or in prison, Joseph’s life was hope-filled, meaningful, and successful, not because he worked so hard or received what he deserved, but because God was with him. That’s the good news of lemonade making!

All Things New

Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing 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. (Isaiah 43:16-19 ESV). One of the things I like about watching some of the DIY shows is to see how they repurpose and reuse previously discarded materials. One of those is “Flea Market Flip.” Who knew you could take old, wooden Coca-Cola bottle boxes, screw them together, put legs under them, and put glass on top to create a coffee table? I love how they find new uses for previously thrown out items or give new life to things that are worn out and are thought to be worthless. Their creativity is inspiring.

There is a sad part to the process though. I found this picture of old suitcases that had been joined together to make a bench for a waiting area. It is an ingenious thought, but I wondered about the suitcases. Where had they been; what had they seen; or what adventures had they experienced? Perhaps they had traveled the world, seeing some of the exotic, mysteries of the world; or, perhaps they had been a part of someone’s start in life, moving them from home to college. And now they are merely consigned to a waiting area where travelers with newer models do the traveling. When think of these things, I am drawn to our reading today. The prophet is declaring that God is never through with us, no matter how “used” we might be. God takes our lives that are broken, used up, outdated, and seemingly useless, and repurposes us. He gives us new life and makes us more beautiful than before. He sometimes finds us in life’s scrap pile and thinks, “I can find new life and uses for this.” When everyone else sees someone worth discarding, God sees potential. This always gives me hope. Our repurposed life might appear very different than our past. It might even appear to be less meaningful, but in God’s design it is providing us with just the right tools for the moment. We will never be useless. God directs us in every part of our journey. Sometimes that’s a bit difficult to see. When tragedy strikes our circle and our journey takes a decidedly uphill path, it is incredibly hard to imagine God giving purpose to those experiences. However, that is his unshakable promise. Even the ugliest of circumstances will be repurposed in his creative hands. Take joy in the journey. Rejoice in the changes.

The Bristlecone Pine

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:8-10 ESV).

Trees may be some of the oldest living things on the earth. Being ancient it would be interesting if they could communicate with us some of the history that has passed within their view. Let me give you just a little science to tickle your curiosity for a bit. They began to populate the earth about 385 million years ago, toward the end of the Devonian period. Considered living historical records, they have withstood generations of development and change. It may be of interest to you to know that one of the oldest individual trees in the world has been named Methuselah; it is a 4,845-year-old Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) located in the White Mountains of California. In 2013 researchers at the Rocky Mountain Tree-Ring Research Group found another bristlecone pine also located in the White Mountains. They have measured this tree as being 5,062 years old. The mammoths still roamed the earth then. The Sumerians were just learning the form of writing we know as cuneiform. The first dynasty of Egypt was just being formed, predating the pyramids. We don’t know the exact date of the call of Abraham, but it certainly was after these trees first burst from the earth as seedlings. The United Kingdom of Israel wouldn’t take place until somewhere around 1050 BC. It’s easy to get the picture. We seem to think that a hundred years is a long time; and, it is for a human being. But in the long look of the created order, it’s not much more than a blink of the eye. Peter understood this and declared the principle in our reading today: But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. This is the great gift of eternal life. When we begin to think about all the things we’ve seen or experienced in this life it really doesn’t quantitatively compare to eternity. The doctors diagnosed my hemochromatosis about twenty six years ago. It has been a lengthy and sometimes unpleasant journey managing that incurable disease. However, even if I live to the century mark, having dealt with it for fifty years, that’s 1/100th of the time these trees have been alive! And, there is no way to quantify that number in comparison to eternity! Do you see it? What God has prepared for me is so much more than this brief moment I call “life.” That gives me great hope and motivation to persevere. I hope it will do the same for you.

Canaries and Coal Mines

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. (Philippians 3:1-8 ESV). Are you in spiritual danger? If you were, how would you know? One key sign of spiritual danger is losing your joy. Don’t skim past what Paul says at the end of the first verse of our reading today: “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.” Paul reminds them to rejoice because it is safe. Joy is one of the vital gauges on the dashboard of the Christian life. When the needle dips — when you lose your joy — you should take note. To stay safe, you need to pay attention to your joy. “It’s hard for Satan to tempt a believer filled with joy in God with the empty pleasures of this world.”

Coal miners know that dangerous gases can gather silently and secretly in the tunnels. Carbon monoxide will asphyxiate them. Methane explodes. A methane explosion took the lives of 12 men in the 2006 Sago mine disaster in West Virginia. In 1906, almost 1,100 miners were killed in Courrières, France in one massive chain of explosions. But in the early days of coal mining, they found an effective, low-tech solution: They brought canaries into the mines. A canary’s metabolism is very sensitive to air quality. As long as the bright yellow birds chirp and sing, miners know the air is safe. If gas levels rise, the canaries stop singing, wobble on their perch, and eventually fall to the floor of the cage. Christian joy is like that singing, yellow bird. One of the first effects of sin or doctrinal error is that we lose our joy in Christ. When your heart stops singing, that is a warning to watch your life and doctrine closely. We should not confuse this unique joy with other upbeat feelings. Genuine Christian joy is not the power of positive thinking. Joy is not a bubbly, optimistic personality. Joy is not being happy because life is going my way. Joy is not walking through life with a naïve, glass-half-full attitude. This joy is the unmistakable, unwavering hope in Christ. How’s your canary?

Hope in God

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:5-8 ESV).

Richard Sibbes, one of the great old Puritan preachers of Cambridge who died in 1635, wrote a whole book (175 pages) on dealing with the first verse of our reading today. He was called “the sweet dropper” because of how much confidence and joy his sermons caused. He titled his book The Soul’s Conflict with Itself. That is the picture of the psalmist’s cry in this ancient hymn. The soul of a man often argues with itself, preaching to itself. “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God!” Hoping in God does not come naturally for us. Our sin nature is still strong within us. So, we must speak it to our hearts diligently, even forcefully. Should we forget to do this we will give way to a downcast and disquieted spirit. I have found this to be a little known basic of the Christian life. When I say this to my clients in the midst of the despair and trouble I usually get that look as if I had two heads. However, it will stave off the inevitable discouragement in the midst of our struggles. Recently I was asked to preach at my home church. Preparing those messages was very encouraging. It gave me time to write four sermons on different topics, and it’s been quite helpful to refer back to them in the writing of the Morning Devotionals. Sometimes when I’m depressed reasoning doesn’t seem to get me very far and it’s easier just to try to hold on to certain verses or truths. In fact, the best sermon you preach yourself this week may be only three words long: Hope in God! I love the way the psalmists wrestle and fight and struggle to maintain their hope in God. This is normal Christian experience while we are still just saved sinners. And we better own up to it, or else we may grow sluggish and negligent in our fight for hope. And that is very dangerous, as our text plainly teaches. You may have been on the verge of giving up hope for any change in your life for some time. Can I implore you to preach that sermon over and over in your mind: Hope in God! After all, it really is that little voice that whispers maybe when the whole world is shouting no.

Knowing the End

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. (Revelation 21:1-7 ESV).

As you may remember me writing before, one of my favorite pastimes is woodworking. I particularly like making things for my family. Recently Becca asked if I would build Maggie a “Toddler Tower.” I said, “Of course.” I then asked her if she had a picture or plans of what she wanted. She directed me to a site where I found some basic dimensions and a drawing of the finished product. As you can see it was a pretty easy build. We went and picked up the materials and I built it with a dark stain to match the cabinets in their kitchen. It really was the perfect solution to safely allow Maggie to be a “helper” while Becca was preparing meals at the kitchen counter. Perhaps the most interesting thing of all, however, was that Maggie really didn’t know anything about the project. It just seemed to appear all of a sudden one day when I brought it to their house. And, even funnier, she didn’t know what to do with it at first. David later told me that the first time she climbed on to the platform, she raised her hands in an I-don’t-get-it gesture and said, “Daddy, where’s the slide?” I knew what it was going to look like from the plans; but I had no idea that the end result would produce that reaction. He delight at her new play-set must have been priceless! This is the truth underlying John’s recording of the end of history as we know it. God has always had the plans to bring redemption to his creation. He is building it now. Someday it will come to pass and our reaction to it will be even greater than Maggie’s delight. Can you even imagine the wonder at the final elimination of all sickness, pain, and death? Can you fathom the wonder of God’s final redemptive act? This is the hope that allows us to go forward through every trial and challenge of life. This is the power that enables us to face every circumstance with victory. Whatever you are going through in your life today, know that God is building you a very special eternal life. It will be worth it all!

More Memories

I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:3-7 ESV).

As I was writing yesterday’s Morning Devotional I was thinking about some of the distant past. I began to reminisce about my days at Texas A&M. I lived on campus in the dorms prior to getting married. The second dorm I lived in was Hart Hall. It was named for a former Vice-President of the board after it was built in 1931! Believe me, not much had changed about it from then to the time I lived there. It was a solid structure, but without any of the amenities of some of the other dorms. I can still remember hoping for a little breeze to flow through the second story window of my room just to cool it down some. We didn’t have air conditioning in any of these rooms. I remember my roommate and suitemates. We became friends through our mutual “sufferings.” I suppose it wasn’t all bad. It was centrally located. Being in the middle of campus in those days was certainly an advantage. And, it was the least expensive residence hall. That was certainly a bonus. Truthfully, the best thing about dorm life in general was the opportunity to meet and make friends. Since such bonds were encouraged and emphasized at A&M it became one of the many highlights of my memories there. That’s how Paul starts his last letter to Timothy. He remembers fondly the friendships he has had through Timothy’s family. He recollects the church and the many people who had meant so much to him through the years. It caused me to pause. I find it so much easier to remember those who have hurt me than those who have befriended me. I know that’s not just backwards, it’s destructive. It encourages regret and renewal of the hurt and disappointment of the past. Paul doesn’t make that mistake and he encourages his readers to do the same: For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Today, my encouragement to you is to recall the positive relationships God has allowed in your life. Laugh a little about some of the experiences. Cry a little about some of the losses. And, in all of those memories find the powerful plan and purpose of God in your journey. See if it won’t bring you a sense of peace and joy.

Memories

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV).

I always love reminiscing as I browse through old picture albums and mementos of days past. So much has changed through the years, and, yet, so much has remained. Our reading today simply encourages us to “remember.” It is a call to remember something very specific and very special. The cross event was so much more personal than a mere crossroads of history. This singular event makes the difference between life and death for millions of people. Most of us cherish memories of things and people past. We love to remember happy times, favorite places, vacations we took, laughter we shared, or hobbies we enjoyed with others. This is the command Paul reiterates from Jesus. He wants us to cherish His death. That’s almost odd, isn’t it? It is strangely beautiful. Rather than asking us to remember happy things we could only know second-hand from reading Scripture, Jesus opens his picture album and shows us His death. It is significant in that it for us, in whatever age we live. In a sense, we transcend time because we were there in the betrayal as far back as Eden. We were there in spirit the night Jesus was betrayed. We were alongside those shouting, “Crucify Him!,” not knowing what we were doing. Yet, we share in the inheritance. It is an inheritance of sinners though. We should make no mistake about that truth. But followers of Christ also share in salvation’s beautiful hope by the blood of the Lamb: His death for us. So, Jesus calls us to communion with Him as we remember His death. In the Garden of Eden, we took and ate and received separation from God. In the Passover, Jesus says, “Take and eat” and by the New Covenant in His blood, He restores us to fellowship with our Father. Unlike some pilgrimage to a distant holy site, this coming home to our Father is inward. We transcend our generation through a timeless fellowship meal during which we proclaim Jesus’ death. It’s a spiritual pilgrimage to the heart where His death whispers salvation to all who hear and believe. What an amazing remembrance! How’s your memory today? Spend a little time leafing through the wonder of His redemptive act on your behalf today.