The Gift of Love

The Gift of Love UMH (#408)

 

Though I may speak with bravest fire,

and have the gift to all inspire,

and have not love, my words are vain,

as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

 

Though I may give all I possess,

and striving so my love profess,

but not be given by love within,

the profit soon turns strangely thin.

 

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,

our spirits long to be made whole.

Let inward love guide every deed;

by this we worship, and are freed.

 

            This hymn is among my favorites. Its gentle melodic waves ease the truth of its words into our hearts as it succinctly reminds us of our primary calling as disciples of Jesus. The phrases harken to the Apostle Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians 13, sometimes called “the love chapter.”

 

            Recently, the Spirit profoundly awakened me after I had gradually given in to the temptation of angst and ire in a certain situation. I remembered that Jesus said, “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” (Matthew 5:22) I thought, “Lord, how do I stop this evil attitude in me?” Again, I heard the words of Jesus: “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” (Matthew 5:29) The Spirit’s direction was clear. I must surrender my need for justice to the Lord and then do whatever I could to avoid sinning. I did so and now I am gradually experiencing peace with the situation.

 

            Note that I said, “peace with the situation.” The injustice and poor behavior of the one who offends me is unchanged. But grace informs me that I cannot know the condition of his/her soul or his/her standing with the Lord. The one who torments me is a brother/sister in Christ, though he/she is culturally different in religious orientation. Therefore, Jesus’ words about anger towards a brother or sister were needed to set me right. After all, who can I hope to change, but myself?

 

            In the hymn, “The Gift of Love” I am reminded that all the good I do, is meaningless without love. It is easy to love those who love us, but the gift of love is most evident when I can welcome grace for those who offend me into my heart. It is not easy, but it is the only cure for angst and ire toward others. When we forgive someone, it is like canceling a debt that we have held against them, often without them knowing or believing they owe us anything. When our thoughts return to their offenses against us, grace reveals a zero-balance in their account, and we move on. It sounds improbable, but it really can happen if we invite the Spirit to come alongside us and lead us in the way we should go.

 

I wish you peace and joy.

 

Reckless Speech

“but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” ~ James 3:8-10a

            The first eleven verses of the third chapter of James’ letter lucidly describe the dangers of careless speech. He asserts that the tongue may be a small part of the body, but it can determine the direction of one’s life like the small rudder of a large ship. James says that, for this reason, only some people should become Christian teachers, since they are judged by a higher standard. If one stands in the Name of Christ before others his tongue must be bridled and controlled lest it does more harm than good.

            I have a recurring dream in which I am speaking in the Name of the Lord and in one of those frequent moments when I wander off of the script and opine about something, I speak words that so damage my witness that I am forced to leave the calling that I love so much. James’ admonishment is a reminder of the risk I take every time I write, preach, and teach for the Lord’s sake. That’s why I usually pray, “Lord erase from my hearer's minds the words that did not come from you and burn in those that do” after I preach and teach.

            Our society ruthlessly punishes public figures for slips of the tongue and now even silence on hot topics. It has never been harder for high profile individuals to express themselves honestly and openly. While James never says it directly in the aforementioned text, it is implicit that the words of our mouths can indicate the condition of our hearts. Perhaps he left that to our consideration because it is not always true. Sometimes, one’s words flow from a process of reasoning and consideration of the facts and feelings associated with a situation.

            The Apostle Paul says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) and “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,” (Galatians 5:16-24)

            I think Paul was keenly aware of the dangers of reckless speech. Remember, he was among the riotous mob that killed the disciple, Stephen (Acts 7). Later in life, he wisely advises believers to think before they speak and to submit to the Spirit rather than the flesh. Paul eventually found himself attacked by riotous mobs for speaking truth in love (Acts 23). It is dangerous enough to preach and teach in the Spirit, so why risk one’s opportunities to do so by babbling senselessly about matters of the flesh?  

            Finally, while this devotion may seem to be written to myself and others in public roles, it really pertains to every Christian believer. Who among you has no influence over anyone? When you speak to anyone who will listen, you are an influencer. You don’t have to be a YouTube sensation or popular blogger, or even a pastor. Your children, grandchildren, spouse, coworkers, friends, associates, and even those who overhear you in public places can be affected by your words. Therefore, guard your tongue for His Name’s sake.

The Narrow Gate

“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” ~ Matthew 7:13-14

As I sit at my desk to write this I am surrounded by pieces and parts of our plans for returning the congregation to the building for Sunday worship. After three months of being the Church without a building, we are finally coming home on June 14th.

When the great hunker down of 2020 began back in March I imagined a day when we would all gather for a glorious celebration that would eclipse the biggest Easter Sunday we’d ever had. I pictured a two-hour worship and reunion that would be extravagant and elaborate. Now, I am picturing a small crowd inside Shiloh’s largest space, seated as individuals, couples, and families spaced six feet apart. I am envisioning several cars in the parking lot with radios, smartphones, and other devices echoing my voice while a handful of staff and lay leaders direct worshipers so that they will be safe and comfortable.

If there are no significant changes in the current course, we will see the crowds gradually increase, and eventually, we will return to our former service times – albeit with safe-distancing and other precautions. The church, along with the rest of the community, will be methodically and cautiously returning to familiar routines as summer closes and schools reopen, but it’s difficult to predict what that will all look like. So, we prayerfully and thoughtfully press on as the days and weeks progress.

As I consider the state of affairs in our nation and wonder about the future, I am compelled to take the same approach. As today’s scripture reminds us, rushing ahead through the wide gate is perilous. Doing what satisfies the flesh with immediate gratification is easy and likely to fail, or even make matters worse. Shiloh and all the local churches in the land must not only restart but must reimagine a better form of worship, learning, and service than we had before. It is a God-given gift and obligation. So too, our society is in need of renewal and revival. We must reimagine our shared journey toward peace and prosperity for all. However, the way is through the narrow gate of righteousness.

The vitriol in politics and media help to fuel violent speech and actions. Passion for justice and deep anger are noble pursuits, but the wide, easy way will lead to failure and will likely make matters worse. Riots and destruction give the flesh a release of anger, frustration, and other felt needs but they do little to solve the problems. The narrow gate leads to thoughtful engagement and honest reconciliation. Like life after COVID-19, the solution to the racism inherent in parts of our society will not come quickly or easily. It will not come from its victims. The dominant races must accept responsibility and then take the narrow way of righteousness as they hold each other accountable for change.

As I consider my family’s future and the future of the Shiloh family, I am committed to the narrow way of righteousness. I am committed to a slow, methodical journey to the Promised Land. I accept my accountability to Christ and His Body, the Church. I will resist the easy, flesh-rewarding wide gates. I will live for my eternal life in the Kingdom rather than my temporary life in the world of the flesh.

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” ~ Joshua 24:15

Get Free from Egypt

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. ~ Genesis 1:1

And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. ~ Exodus 3:9

These mid-week encouragements were originally intended to help us through the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now they are written amid the chaos of brutality, frustration, and uprisings. The brutal and general racism found consistently in some aspects of law enforcement has caused deep frustration among those who desire justice and dignity for all persons. The angst and anger caused by deep ideological divides within the political and moral composition of American and Western culture has resulted in riots and rebellion. Isolation, economic despair, and fear of the unknown have only served to heighten the anxiety we all feel.

It is important to remember that God created order where there was none. God spoke and nothing turned into something; chaos turned into order. Scripture repeatedly informs us that God fervently opposes oppression and regularly sets captives free. God even paid the highest price so that the humanity God created in God’s own image could be free from the oppression of sin and death. In the Bible, sin is depicted as using God-imaged self-determination to resist God and uplift self (aka the flesh) above God. In the Old Testament, the world of human will and self-worship is epitomized by the Egyptians who enslaved Israel.

Now, consider this prophecy of Isaiah:

Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them. And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, each against another and each against his neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom; and the spirit of the Egyptians within them will be emptied out, and I will confound[a] their counsel, and they will inquire of the idols and the sorcerers, and the mediums and the necromancers; and I will give over the Egyptians into the hand of a hard master, and a fierce king will rule over them, declares the Lord God of hosts. ~ Isaiah 19:1-4

Throughout this period of being forced out of the church building, I have been inspired to view our shared Christian/religious experience as a crisis and an opportunity. The crisis is obvious, but the opportunity may not seem so. My thoughts continually go back to the opportunity and crisis faced by the Israelites as they finally escaped from Egypt. It’s interesting to note that the Israelites saw the obvious opportunities but were not clear on their impending crisis. They had not known how deeply rooted they were in the culture of Egypt. After being set free they quickly despised the unknowns of the wilderness and desired to return to the predictable provision and routine of enslavement to Egypt. Despite witnessing the Lord’s systematic defeat of Egyptian sources of pride and its gods of the flesh, the Israelites feared discomfort more than the relative comfort of oppression.

I am convinced that we have been given a gift. We’ve been sent into the wilderness to lose our old Egyptian ways. We are now wandering amid chaos and oppression with only God’s holy fire and cloud to follow. When we follow the Lord, with Christ Jesus as our leader, we bring order to the chaos, mercy, and justice to the oppressed, and light in the darkness.

Where Are You Going?

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. ~ Acts 20:24 ESV

            The Apostle Paul reminds us that, whatever our circumstances, we must resolve to finish the course the Lord has set for us. What is your course? When you think about how life has changed because of COVID-19 have you seen your priorities change?

           We often hear and say, “when this is over . . .” Yet, we know in our hearts that, in many ways, this will never be over. As we navigate our course toward happiness and security there will be new disruptions along the way. And, eventually, we will die and leave behind everything we worked so hard to attain. If this truth is not yet evident to you, it will be sooner or later.

           So what course is Paul referring to above? Is your course like this? Most of us will say, “No. He was called to be an apostle. I’m not called to that.” However, you are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19) Jesus commanded the apostles to make disciples. If their message has reached your heart, then you are Christ’s disciple.

          Your course then must be discipleship under Jesus Christ, your Savior, and King – the Holy Spirit – your Counselor and Teacher. How does this course align with your course toward happiness and security in life? Do you think your life’s course can merge with the disciple’s path? What if your sense of security and happiness in this life on earth was shaped by your sense of security and happiness in Heaven for all eternity?

          COVID-19 has reshaped my priorities as your pastor. My vision and mission are still the same, but our point of origin has shifted so that course adjustments are necessary. Therefore, some long-range goals have become more immediate while others are now less so. As I anticipate returning to in person worship and study, I am convinced that the highest priority for my flock is that everyone should be journeying on a clearly marked discipleship pathway. Furthermore, I am sure that accountability along the way is essential. Therefore, I will be introducing the Shiloh Discipleship Pathway over the summer months. It will be a driving force for “being disciples” as a member of God’s family at Shiloh.

          Beloved, the Lord has set a course for your life that never ends. It only transitions from this life to the next. I began the day you became a disciple of Jesus Christ. It was never meant to be a membership certificate or card, but a new way of life. The local church exists to equip and sustain you and yours on the way home to Christ. When you come back to “church” at Shiloh will you be ready for a deeper commitment to Christ and richer daily life in the Spirit? I pray it will be so.

Wicked Ways

How lonely sits the city that was full of people! (Lamentations 11a)

Jerusalem remembers in the days of her affliction and wandering all the precious things that were hers from days of old. (Lamentations 1:7a)

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

As the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions gradually ease, some are declaring, “it’s about time!” and rushing back to their old ways. This is understandable, but lamentable too. Our lives are richer when there is structure and order. That’s not surprising since we were created by the One who brought order to the chaos, and still dose. We need others in our lives because God made us for fellowship. Isolation gradually tears down the fabric of our lives leaving threadbare remnants of who we are as members of holy communions. So, returning to an orderly society is a natural longing. However, it seems that God has brought our world to a moment of decision about what matters most by taken these away for a season. Our relationship with God must be secured before our relationships with each other can be truly fulfilling.

The “wicked ways” we are to turn from can be described in many ways, but they all have a common core. Lives governed by the flesh are not governed by the Lord who created and can destroy the flesh. Lives that are governed by the Lord have eternal communion and purpose that does not depend upon feelings and sensuality. (Matthew 6) Therefore, let us carefully return to the people and activities that matter most so that God remains the primary conductor. Let us thoughtfully obey God’s precepts so that we can avoid suffering. Our safe-distancing and other precautions can be viewed as being a little like the careful preparations of the Israelites who saw the death of the first-born pass over them because they prepared as God instructed them to. (Exodus 12)

What Can I Give Him?

“What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a Shepherd, I would give a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. What can I give him? Give him my heart.” – In the Bleak Mid Winter UMH #221

Verse four of this Christmas hymn came to mind this morning as I tried to imagine what to write. Certainly, it is not midwinter, in fact it is springtime. It is the winter of COVID-19 in which I'm finding myself asking, “What can I give him?“

The last two months have had a cumulative effect on me, as I imagine it has you too. As each week passes, it gets harder to think of new things to do for the church and my family. I ask God to show me the way and God seems silent. "If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb." I continue to learn and plan for what comes next, "if I were a wise man, I would do my part." The star of Bethlehem is so bright and large that it seems tantalizingly near, but there is still a long way to go. So, I press on, attending to what I can do and readying myself for what's next.

As we grow inpatient to return to some form of what seemed normal last year, we are also understandably frightened about the unknowns. We look to God to rescue us, but are we ready for God's plan to be something completely unimaginable? Like a helpless baby in a manger? Are we willing to accept God's answer to our prayers when the answer doesn't seem to make sense?

What can I give him, poor as I am?

Give him my heart.

The Wind Blows Where it Wishes

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” - John 3:8 (ESV)

As I lay in bed just before sunrise this morning I listened as the robins cluttered the air with their noisy chatter and the squirrels chuffed in annoyance. A soft breeze stirred the leaves of our yard full of oaks and the halyard rhythmically clanked against the flagpole. When the sun crested the horizon, the robins became silent and the wind arose to forceful gusts.

I thought about Jesus’ words in John 3:8 as I arose. Jesus was talking to Nicodemus about new life in the Spirit when he said “The wind blows where it wishes . . . “ It is important to notice the little things as we continue through these monotonous days of quarantining. We must remember that God has ordered all of creation and we have little control over it. We don’t hear the wind, but the sounds made by objects it contacts as it moves from where we do not know to where we can only imagine. It is the same with the Spirit. He moves in and around us and we hear the sound of His force.

Today, as you continue to cope with uncertainty and monotony, remember the Spirit of God when your senses remind you of the blowing wind. Ask the Spirit to open your heart and mind to His direction in your life. Invite the new Spirit-filled life within you to grow your faith and grace. Remember to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor.

Thank you for praying daily that the Shiloh staff and their families are blessed. Thank you for your constant generosity and faithful service to the Lord. Please join us in encouraging one another, especially those who need a Spirit-enlivened family like the one we know through Shiloh Church.

The Cross

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:18

Despite substantial evidence, many persons have rejected the cross of Christ as anything more than a gruesome form of execution celebrated by religious fanatics who are obsessed with blood. The heart of their complaint is found in pride. When a person rejects matters of faith in favor of reason, it is evident that a choice was made to trust one’s self more than God. This is the essence of sin. Declaring God unreasonable and unknowable is to acknowledge the gulf that exists between humans and their Creator.

The cross is the cure for that problem. When the Son of God died upon that cross it was the culmination of the delivery of God’s love to an undeserving people who might choose to reject it. As if that were not enough, God so loved God’s creation that He raised His Son to deliver the good news – “The gates of hell will not be able to resist it!”

Today is the day to put off the folly of resisting God’s grace. Today is the day to repent of sin, embrace God’s Son, and to be reborn in the Spirit. If you’ve done these things than live it out with all your heart, mind, and soul as you love one another in service to King Jesus.

Challenge:

Look up and read Psalm 34:1-9 out loud and then reply to this message to tell me what it means to you.