Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Sometimes when I look at my kids, I see the adventures that they may have. I'd like to think that they will all be full of fun and joy, but the truth is... life is rough and the journey has "valley's of the shadow of death" (ps 23) strewn along the way. I don't know all the places my children will go? I don't know even know all the places I will go. Consider the daily Moravian texts... 

Psalm 106:1-5; Ruth 1; Luke 23:1-12 

For me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, to tell of all your works. Psalm 73:28 

Those who serve well gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:13 

Naomi (pleasant in Hebrew) didn't know that she would have to go the the country of Moab. She didn't know that her husband and two sons would die there, even though her sons names meant "sickly" and "weak." Okay, maybe she knew something was up. Noami had made a friend in Ruth (means friendship), a steady companion. In the same way Jesus went to the dark places in Herod's palace, and ultimately to the cross that we might be adopted into his family.

Jesus is our steady companion. No matter where we choose to go, or are taken by other forces, we are not alone. Today, as I consider the path of my children I need not worry for God has promised to be with them in sunlit fields or dark valleys. My job is simple, show them by the way I speak, live, pray, and love that Jesus is real and alive in our lives. May you have the courage to trust in God no matter what your circumstances are in this season.

Daily Prayer:

Let us be strong and courageous as we witness to your truth and grace, O God. No matter where we find ourselves, may we always abide in you. Jesus, as you went boldly to the cross, send us with confidence into the everyday places of life. Grow our faith as we serve and share. 

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Furrowed Brow

I have always had a love hate relationship with discipline, especially when it is directed at me. Self discipline is even worse! Yet, I have found it an uneasy friend and guide in a course in wisdom. Consider the Moravian Daily Texts...


Psalm 105:37-45; Judges 20:32-21:25; Luke 22:63-71 

In the path of your judgments, O Lord, we wait for you. Isaiah 26:8 

When we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:32 


Now, as a parent, I discipline my children out love and the desire to see the best for them. I see the bigger picture of their lives even as they see only now and what they desire. This has also helped me understand God's posture towards us.

Oh, my children... Gabriel, nearing 5, often voices his protest in a flurry whining and logical arguments for the injustice of my actions which, can be quite convincing and unsettling as I see the near future when he will be able to out-debate me like his mother. Neriyah on the other hand, more like myself in this manner, will turn inward. Her bottom lip will swell until double its normal size and her eyes will focus an intense beam of disappointment at either the ground or my face. Then using her supper-powered eyebrow furrow she will try to crush my resolve of correction with her extreme cuteness. Both Gabriel and Neriyah are a unique combination of traits I see in Michelle and I, sometimes coming together for the better while  at other times, not so much.

How are you with God and his loving hand of discipline? The scripture is clear that God disciplines those he loves (Pr 3:11-12; Heb 12:6). This means that there are times that all of us will need a little pruning (Jn 15:2).  Even as I am a sinful and selfish father, my love for my children wants the best for them. How much more is the love and care of our perfect and heavenly father? No matter how we whine, cry, or "stare down" God's discipline it is a tool for our good. Today, may you be blessed with the courage to embrace God in encouragement and in discipline.

Daily Prayer:
When you see fit to judge us, God, help us to remember your love and grace. Call to our minds the redemptive purposes of your discipline and the promise of eternal life. Thank you for training us so we shall forever be your children. Amen.

Cut Off (Reflection from Moravian Daily Texts)

Psalm 105:16-22; Judges 19; Luke 22:39-51 

The daily text this for this morning reminds me that violence begets violence. The violence I am thinking of may not alway be physical. A word can be just as violent as a rock or a stick. "Sticks and stones break my bones, but a word can never hurt me." Really? Tell that to the young girl who's reputation is ruined by a false rumor. Or, to the young man who takes his life because of the bully at school.

Have you ever notices that conflict tends to escalate? An insult today becomes tomorrows gossip, gossip gives birth to bitterness, leading to a long chain of "one-uping" each other until we are completely divided. It takes someone to break the cycle, someone to proverbially "take the bullet." In the OT text for today an entire tribe was "cut off" because of a single act of violence. 
   
Even when Jesus' disciple cut off the ear of the servant, Jesus would not give way to escalating the violence. Jesus says "No more of this!' He healed in the face of his own arrest, torture, and murder. 

Today, let us put away the violent escalation of the world around us and put on the attitude of Christ (phil 2). Whether we are cut off on the freeway or in a conversation, let us have the courage to release the debt and have a healing touch as Jesus has first healed us.

Reflection Texts for the Day:

Noah did all that God commanded him. Genesis 6:22 

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds. 
Ephesians 4:22-23 (NIV) 

Daily Prayer:
Give us the courage to obey you, Lord, even when others don’t understand. Wash away the filth of this world in us, refreshing us with newness of life and purpose. As we put away our old selves, renew our minds by your presence and power, living joyfully in your grace. Amen.

Faithfulness

From the Moravian Daily Texts

Psalm 105:8-15; Judges 18; Luke 22:24-38

The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. Psalm 33:5

You know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 

This morning I am mindful of how God is faithful in our lives even when we are not. Faithfulness is listed among the Fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22 because it is a characteristic of God that he wants us to share. As I reflect on the daily Moravian texts I see that Jesus prayed for Peter even before he was to deny him. His encouragement to Peter is... 

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." LK 22:31-32

Jesus took on the lowest of places and yet he was able to pray for those who would soon fail him. Even when we fall on our face, God is waiting to lift, strengthen our faithfulness, and send us out again to "strengthen our brothers."

No matter how your week, day, or hour has been God wants to use you to live out his faithfulness. Who are you going to strengthen today?

Moravian Prayer of the Day

How unshakeable are your ways of love and truth, O God. The earth abounds with your goodness and grace. As beggars we come, as kings we depart; richly blessed and filled with all good things from your hand. Amen.