And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
What an astounding, mind-boggling statement!
The WORD: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men." (John 1:1-4) THIS Word - God incarnate, God with us, the Alpha and Omega, the Prince of Peace, this One before whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess his Lordship over all - THIS Word became flesh and came to live among his very creation.
"and we have seen his glory": the glory that was seen as a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel" (Ex. 24:17); the glory that could not be seen by Moses unless he was shielded by the hand of God, hidden in the cleft of a rock and then, only after God's glory had passed by; the glory that left Isaiah completely undone and overcome with his own sinfulness and unworthiness (Is. 6:1-7); the glory that man could not see and live (Ex. 33:20). THAT glory - came to earth, dwelt among men, was seen by those he dwelt among.
This Jesus, the Word of God, full of grace and truth, became flesh, came to earth and lived among us, allowing us to see his glory and live - live as sons and daughters of the King. And even beyond all that, so that we may make take his love to the world, he gives us his glory. "The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:22-23)
What an astounding, mind-boggling statement!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Struggling
Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28 ESV)
Jacob's continual struggles with people in his life led him, ultimately, to a long, drawn out struggle with God. He strives/wrestles all night long, even being bold enough to say he won't let go until God blesses him. God didn't strike Jacob dead, or turn his back and walk away from this man who would "dare" to struggle against God; instead, not only did he bless this man but changed his name, reflecting the transformation of Jacob's character. Jacob is left awed, changed to his very core - a better man for having engaged in the struggle. Jacob came to know his God in a way he may never have without this "face to face" encounter. He was mightily blessed. He was never the same again.
To be sure, God is, indeed, all powerful and could have blown Jacob off the face of the earth for his audacity - but he didn't. Why, then, when we're loaded with questions and frustrations at the way things are going in life, can we not take it to God and struggle through it with him? We grumble about God and his apparent way of "handling" situations but seldom go to him. I'm pretty sure we can be confident in the fact that God can handle whatever we bring to him. The real question is whether or not we trust him to still love us - to bless us - rather than turning his back on us. Do we trust his Fatherly heart towards us? Do we REALLY believe he cares enough to see all that "stuff" we're carrying around?
There's a beautiful prayer in the Book of Common Prayer that in the Anglican tradition is prayed every Sunday morning: "Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen." How silly to think we're hiding our anger or disappointment from God; that he doesn't already know those things we think are kept hidden.
I love that we have Jacob's story to see how he hung on in his struggles demanding a blessing from God. God didn't turn away. He saw straight into the heart of this man, loved him, blessed him, called out from within him the man he was created to be: Israel.
Jesus did the same thing with Peter. Remember, after Peter's denial, how Jesus restored him by the Sea of Galilee. The first hint Peter probably had that the resurrected Jesus was up to something was when he came on shore from his fishing boat and saw a charcoal fire burning --- a charcoal fire just like the one that was burning on the night he denied his Lord those three times.
We can trust our Father to handle our struggles, our deepest secret thoughts and fears; and we can come away from our "encounter" having seen our God in a way we may have never expected or known before. We will be blessed, transformed, and perhaps "re-named".
Jacob's continual struggles with people in his life led him, ultimately, to a long, drawn out struggle with God. He strives/wrestles all night long, even being bold enough to say he won't let go until God blesses him. God didn't strike Jacob dead, or turn his back and walk away from this man who would "dare" to struggle against God; instead, not only did he bless this man but changed his name, reflecting the transformation of Jacob's character. Jacob is left awed, changed to his very core - a better man for having engaged in the struggle. Jacob came to know his God in a way he may never have without this "face to face" encounter. He was mightily blessed. He was never the same again.
To be sure, God is, indeed, all powerful and could have blown Jacob off the face of the earth for his audacity - but he didn't. Why, then, when we're loaded with questions and frustrations at the way things are going in life, can we not take it to God and struggle through it with him? We grumble about God and his apparent way of "handling" situations but seldom go to him. I'm pretty sure we can be confident in the fact that God can handle whatever we bring to him. The real question is whether or not we trust him to still love us - to bless us - rather than turning his back on us. Do we trust his Fatherly heart towards us? Do we REALLY believe he cares enough to see all that "stuff" we're carrying around?
There's a beautiful prayer in the Book of Common Prayer that in the Anglican tradition is prayed every Sunday morning: "Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen." How silly to think we're hiding our anger or disappointment from God; that he doesn't already know those things we think are kept hidden.
I love that we have Jacob's story to see how he hung on in his struggles demanding a blessing from God. God didn't turn away. He saw straight into the heart of this man, loved him, blessed him, called out from within him the man he was created to be: Israel.
Jesus did the same thing with Peter. Remember, after Peter's denial, how Jesus restored him by the Sea of Galilee. The first hint Peter probably had that the resurrected Jesus was up to something was when he came on shore from his fishing boat and saw a charcoal fire burning --- a charcoal fire just like the one that was burning on the night he denied his Lord those three times.
- "Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself." (John 18:18 ESV)
- "When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. (John 21:9 ESV)
We can trust our Father to handle our struggles, our deepest secret thoughts and fears; and we can come away from our "encounter" having seen our God in a way we may have never expected or known before. We will be blessed, transformed, and perhaps "re-named".
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Pilate said . . . “Behold the man!” (John 19:5) and “Behold your King!” (John 19:14)
Today we proclaim: “Behold, this is our God” (Isaiah 25:9)
Behold . . . LOVE.
It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” (Isaiah 25:9)
Friday, March 18, 2011
Get out of the Boat!
I've been thinking lately about the story of Jesus walking on the water and, in particular, Peter's venture out of the boat. In reading the account in Matthew, my Bible notes pointed out that since Jesus walked towards them during the third watch of the night, the disciples had been battling the storm and waves for 9 hours! In Mark's Gospel, it says "they were making headway painfully". That speaks to me! How many times do I struggle through the storm, "making headway painfully", when Jesus is standing right outside my "boat" ready to take my hand. Jesus doesn't promise to take us out of the storm. In fact, he assures us we will face trials. Taking up our cross and following him is not something to be taken lightly; but what we are promised is that we are not alone and we won't be overwhelmed in the storm.
Remember, that once Jesus got into the boat with the disciples, the storm ceased and they arrived at their destination safely; in fact, in John's Gospel it says they arrived "immediately". In Matthew's account the word immediately is used for Jesus' response to the disciples' fear. In their fright at seeing him walking on the water, he spoke to calm their fears immediately. It's so interesting how many times that one word is used in the gospels in connection with Jesus. Our Lord is not slow to react and respond to our cries for help. We're the slow ones! It seems to make sense at the time to fight the storms of life for the metaphorical "9 hours" rather than to get out of the boat, walk to Jesus and his outstretched hand. Then, we can see how he chooses to handle the storm - he may calm the storm or calm us in the storm.
Personally, and I say this with a little fear and trembling, I'm thankful for the trials in my life. Without them, I wouldn't have learned about the great faithfulness of God, his unconditional love, his care and protection as well as his mysterious but perfect sovereignty and will. I have learned and am learning the truth and reality of Romans 8:28 ("And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose"); and Romans 8:38 ("For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.")
I love it that when I cry out to Jesus he immediately responds to me with: “Take heart; it is I. [I AM]. Do not be afraid.”
Remember, that once Jesus got into the boat with the disciples, the storm ceased and they arrived at their destination safely; in fact, in John's Gospel it says they arrived "immediately". In Matthew's account the word immediately is used for Jesus' response to the disciples' fear. In their fright at seeing him walking on the water, he spoke to calm their fears immediately. It's so interesting how many times that one word is used in the gospels in connection with Jesus. Our Lord is not slow to react and respond to our cries for help. We're the slow ones! It seems to make sense at the time to fight the storms of life for the metaphorical "9 hours" rather than to get out of the boat, walk to Jesus and his outstretched hand. Then, we can see how he chooses to handle the storm - he may calm the storm or calm us in the storm.
Personally, and I say this with a little fear and trembling, I'm thankful for the trials in my life. Without them, I wouldn't have learned about the great faithfulness of God, his unconditional love, his care and protection as well as his mysterious but perfect sovereignty and will. I have learned and am learning the truth and reality of Romans 8:28 ("And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose"); and Romans 8:38 ("For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.")
I love it that when I cry out to Jesus he immediately responds to me with: “Take heart; it is I. [I AM]. Do not be afraid.”
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
God is Able
posted from Daily Light on the Daily Path Devotional from Samuel Bagster, Christian Bible Devotions
I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able. II TIM. 1:12
Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. Eph. 3:20
Able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. II Cor. 9:8
Able to succour them that are tempted. Heb. 2:18
Able ... to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Heb. 7:25
Able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the pres-ence of his glory with exceeding joy. Jude 24
Able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. II Tim. 1:12
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Phi. 3:21
Believe ye that I am able to do this? ... Yea, Lord. According to your faith be it unto you. Matt. 9:28,29
Monday, March 7, 2011
Here I Am, Lord
I've been reflecting on the times I've prayed the prayer, "Here I am, Lord, send me" and how God has answered (is answering) that prayer. I know he puts the desire in my heart to pursue him - more of him - and that prayer comes out of a God-placed desire. I think there's always that fear of "what if God sends me to the place I would hate to go?" lurking around in the background of that sincere prayer; and looking back over my life and journey, I can surely see how I have been "sent" down a path I couldn't have expected.
I've been spending some time re-reading some of my older journal entries. Thank heaven for journals! I don't know about other folks, but I pour it all out on those pages - the confusion, hurt, anger, joy, peace..... So to look back and see God's hand in all of that - this process of sanctification and transformation - and how very present he's been even (especially??) when I haven't been all that cooperative in the process....it simply amazes me. It's been almost a year since I first felt the nudge from the Lord to write a Bible study on John's Gospel. Now there's an answer to my "send me" prayer that was out of left field! But what a blessing and what a humbling experience that was and what a season of closeness to the Lord!
The lesson (at least one of them) that I've been learning through so much of this has been in trusting God - no matter what. Wish I had that down pat, then maybe I wouldn't have to keep getting practice in it! It's clear, though, that if my heart is pursuing God and the path he's chosen for me, I need to trust in where he takes me and how he chooses to get me there. We spent some great time in 2 Peter during Sunday's sermon which meant that most of the passage is now underlined and has comments written all over the margins of my Bible. It was speaking volumes to me! This passage, in particular, (2 Peter 1:10) speaks to my ramblings today: "Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall." In answering my prayer to follow him, God has been giving me lots of opportunities to practice trusting him. He doesn't have to prove himself - he's always trustworthy and so very faithful; but in working to give up my need to control and order things the way I see fit (what a joke!), I'm able to move out in more faith and greater trust in the one whose plans and ways are perfect. I know it will be well worth the effort and beyond what could ever be imagined!
"But, as it is written,
'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him'”
(1 Corinthians 2:9)
I've been spending some time re-reading some of my older journal entries. Thank heaven for journals! I don't know about other folks, but I pour it all out on those pages - the confusion, hurt, anger, joy, peace..... So to look back and see God's hand in all of that - this process of sanctification and transformation - and how very present he's been even (especially??) when I haven't been all that cooperative in the process....it simply amazes me. It's been almost a year since I first felt the nudge from the Lord to write a Bible study on John's Gospel. Now there's an answer to my "send me" prayer that was out of left field! But what a blessing and what a humbling experience that was and what a season of closeness to the Lord!
The lesson (at least one of them) that I've been learning through so much of this has been in trusting God - no matter what. Wish I had that down pat, then maybe I wouldn't have to keep getting practice in it! It's clear, though, that if my heart is pursuing God and the path he's chosen for me, I need to trust in where he takes me and how he chooses to get me there. We spent some great time in 2 Peter during Sunday's sermon which meant that most of the passage is now underlined and has comments written all over the margins of my Bible. It was speaking volumes to me! This passage, in particular, (2 Peter 1:10) speaks to my ramblings today: "Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall." In answering my prayer to follow him, God has been giving me lots of opportunities to practice trusting him. He doesn't have to prove himself - he's always trustworthy and so very faithful; but in working to give up my need to control and order things the way I see fit (what a joke!), I'm able to move out in more faith and greater trust in the one whose plans and ways are perfect. I know it will be well worth the effort and beyond what could ever be imagined!
"But, as it is written,
'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him'”
(1 Corinthians 2:9)
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