T(s)DD: Stubborn Weaklings

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Verclempt:  Yiddish for choked with emotion. Derives from German. Pop culture reference via Saturday Night Live (SNL) as in...

"I'm verclempt. Talk amongst yourselves. Here. I'll give you a topic:  'Very strong' is neither 'very' nor 'strong.' Discuss."

We are weak; dependent. Weightlifter and weakling alike, go without sustenance and sleep for but 24 hours, same sluggish result.  Even those who abide by a moral code fall short.  Ultimately, eventually, we are, all alike: Weak.  Powerless.

In our weakness, our powerlessness, we call out to you, oh Lord. Thank you for dying for us, becoming weakness for us, saving us. For those who think themselves strong, Lord, may they come to grips with, and confess their vulnerability and need before they are beyond crying out to the Son Who Saves. Amen.

The (s) DD: Mental Exercise

Too cold for our morning jog (and there's an "air stagnation warning" in effect anyway) so I  went "running" with Dallas Willard this morning. But not without stretching extensively by reading Romans 5 over and over again in several versions.

He started out at a good trot, but I was with him. At first. By the third paragraph I was already mentally winded but determined. My gray matter needed the workout.

Amazingly, I actually kept pace with him through the Wesley quote (about half way) before I finally had to stop, doubled over; out of breath. 

But the insight I gained into Romans 5, and the real-world implications of having His Righteousness in us, was worth the strain and really got my blood flowing.

Romans 5:5 NIV

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

If you are up for a workout, do keep going until you see the bold, italicized phrase, "[life is] self-initiating, self-directing, self-sustaining activity," followed by conversation about "environment," and how spiritual formation is a matter of giving up our interaction with our "reverse trinitarian" environment of the world, the flesh and the devil. (Eph. 2:2-3) for interactions in and with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as our life-initiating, life-directing, life-sustaining environment.

If you are anything like me, this will be enough of a workout for at least one day!

Father, pour your love--your Righteous Life into us. May our life-initiating, life-directing, life-sustaining environment be you and you alone, oh Father and Son and Spirit. Amen.

http://www.dwillard.org/articles/artview.asp?artID=135

T(s)DD: Pacem

Romans 5:1-2 NIV Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Those of us who didn't grow up circa AD 90 somewhere within the sprawling borders of the Greco-Roman Empire owe a lot to Bible translators. All the same, I often wonder why New Testament translators, upon encountering a word more than once, render it differently.

I'm genuinely certain they know what they're doing.

All the same, I think it is helpful to know that "righteousness" and "justification" are pretty much the same word. God's righteousness... making us righteous by faith...peace with God. Has a certain symmetry.

Father, as I sit aside my Christmas tree, the word peace in these verses takes on the special meaning due it, owing to the season. Thank you that in the coming of your Son our "justification"--our "being made righteous" is set in motion, giving way to peace between you and I--you and us--through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The (somewhat) Daily Devo: Timing

Ever do those “Reading Plans” set up in your favorite Bible app?  I’m generally not a big fan but have been energized by one of late centered around Christmas and Advent.  The Scripture today…

When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father.  But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”

“What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.”  So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him.  He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills.  Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.

Luke 1:57-66

Here’s the part of the comment (that encouraged this church planter’s heart this morning) written and provided by Carol McLeod of Just Joy Ministries: 

“Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth ...” Certainly this “time” was not Elizabeth’s chosen time. God has a chosen time for prayers to be answered, for His mission to be accomplished and for miracles to take place. Do not for one second believe that God has forgotten you or that He has not heard your prayers. When God’s appointed time comes in its fullness, you will give birth to all that God has planned for you.

As a church we are praying of late that our time of fruitfulness is at last upon us.  (smile)

All in your Good Time, Lord.  May we pray with confidence that you hear, and that the question is not whether our prayer was answered, but whether in relying on you in prayer we grew closer to you and grew up into the person you would make of us in your Good Time.  

The (somewhat) Daily Devo: The Genuine Article

(Good thing I name this the "somewhat" Daily! My routine done got blowed up. Hopefully I'm back in the saddle.)

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Help me out here: How can Romans 4 possibly have the impact it is meant have in a culture where we are told on a daily basis that we are "eligible for an upgrade," are going to receive some purportedly priceless thing "absolutely free!", and have "WON! (Click Here)"? It's all a lie, of course, which by sheer volume dulls our senses to the truth.

So please pretend you haven't been duped and made a fool of by our over-marketed culture a thousand times just yesterday and try and read the following verses with a child-like trust:

Romans 4:4-5 NIV Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.

This righteousness of God you need so desperately? It ain't a paycheck. You can't work hard enough to earn it. It isn't strictly free either. It's a matter of trust.

The marketing world has conditioned you; the game is always afoot. You know they only want you to believe it's really a win for you. "Save 5% by applying for a credit card (hopefully you'll forget to pay and we'll slap on a hefty late fee)."

So listen very carefully--ever-so-trustingly: You've got nothing this Righteous God needs. Your money's no good here. And this gift...is for real.

The (return of) Daily Devo: Step Away from the Whip!

We learned in Romans 1:16-17 that the Gospel of Christ is not something to be embarrassed about, that "the righteousness of God" is key, and that "the righteous will live by faith." But I didn't say enough about that last part to suit me. After all, a few hundred years ago the whole Reformation got started because of that last phrase.

When Martin Luther's understanding of God and humanity was such that he literally flogged himself-true story-on a regular basis to pay for his sinfulness, he entered into a detailed study of Romans preparing himself to teach it. Upon reading the more literal translation of this last phrase his life was changed forever. No longer would he do penance for sin to try and make himself righteous. The faith of Christ, he realized, is sufficient. "The one who by faith is righteous will live."

Once again--and likely not for the last time-we throw our sinful selves on your mercy, Righteous Father, and thank you that we live--forever--not on our own merits but by the sheer force and power of your righteousness. Your goodness declares us good when we surrender ourselves to Christ faithfully. Amen!

T(s)DD: Maybe

If I had never read Romans before and someone had just told me, "you wanna understand Romans? Pay attention to the word 'righteousness'" and "Romans is all about 'the righteousness of God'," this next verse might perplex me: 

Romans 1:18 NIV

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness....

And I might stay confused for the rest of chapter one, all of chapter two, and the first twenty verses of chapter three.  Maybe. Then again...

It might begin to occur to me that wrathful anger is an appropriate response of the righteous in the face of evil.  That suppression of truth invokes sharp emotion in those who  stand for truth and recognize the inherent danger of suppression. That God would not truly be righteous if He found  unrighteousness in all its ugly consequence tolerable. That His wrath is in very expression of His righteousness.

Righteous Father:  thank you for your holiness; thank you that it stands in stark contrast to godlessness, wickedness, suppression. In Jesus. Amen.

T(s)DD: Passphrase to The Book of Romans

Romans 1:16-17 NIV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

In case you haven't been paying attention, we may as well have out with it: I'm no scholar. I mean, yeah. I know a skosh more about Scripture and theology than your average bear, but bears catch fish better than I do. So there you go. And I digress.

I did, however, get a few passing grades listening to theologians and this truth one of them drilled into my head:

The heart and center of the Letter to the Romans is "the righteousness of God."

You want to "get" Paul's point here? Pay attention to the word "righteousness" and everything associated with, compared to, and contrasted with "the righteousness of God." Why shouldn't we be embarrassed or ashamed by the Gospel of Christ? Because (and this is a huge deal) in the message of Christ's cross "the righteousness of God" is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ.

Stay tuned!

Thank you, God of All Holiness and Most Righteous, for loving enough to reveal and make available to us your goodness, that we might experience it and be that same goodness for others through faith in Jesus Christ. Amen.

The (somewhat) Daily Devo: A Hard Sell

Romans 1:14-17 NIV

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

You may be wondering why Paul (that's the church leader who wrote this long correspondence called Romans) would say--some might think defensively--"I am not ashamed" of the Gospel (good news). It helps to consider the stark, bloody reality of the crushing defeat the cross represented to these people.

If you were a first-century Jew, your response to Christ-followers might be, "let me get this straight: you want me to worship Jesus as some long-awaited deliverer of our nation-the One a few of the rabbis suggest Jewish Scriptures may foretell? We...are talking about the guy who died the most base, humiliating execution our occupying oppressors have devised to demoralize us...right?"

It was kind of a hard sell.

Non-Jews just laughed. Even painted graffiti making fun of the whole notion--no kidding.

Father, our own culture laughs as well; and caricatures; and in a hundred more ways assumes us to be hypocritical, or naïve--anything but what we strive to be. They assume the worst of you too, Lord--often based on our failure to represent you well.
Please keep us faithful. Keep us unashamed. Open the eyes of the blind that they may see the truth of their desperate need for you and how you express your love in this very Gospel. In Jesus. Amen.

T(s)DD: I Have to Take This Call....

For those of you who care to know such things, you might as well hear it straight from horse's mouth. I am not a Calvinist. I'm also not not a Calvinist. The mystery of the Divine Sovereignty as He interacts with we His creatures was not figured out once and for all--either by Calvin or Arminius--in the 1500s.

For those of you who couldn't care less...

The search is over. I will now reveal to you your destiny; your calling in life; that which you were made to be and accomplish:

Romans 1:5-6 NIV Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Whoever you are, know this: you are being called by God. Called to name Christ as Lord and Savior. Called to belong in an eternal relationship with the one who made you. Called to spend your life in community with others who accept and submit to that calling, and charged with the task of calling others to give themselves wholly to this self-same calling in Christ Jesus.

Any pursuit you choose that does not have this calling at its core will result in a you who is less than you were meant to be.
Accept or reject it, but this is that for which you have been made and given life.

That is all.

Father, thank you for calling us to a life of security and significance in Christ. Thank you, Sovereign that even in the messiness of my will you can bring all things around to your Purpose when I live a life that by your grace answers your call. In Jesus. Amen.

T(s)DD: Claim to Fame

Romans 1:1-4 NIV Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Just noticing something about the opening greeting of this fairly typical Greco-Roman correspondence. The first three words: "Paul, a servant..." the only thing he proceeds to say of himself is that his only claim to fame, in a matter of speaking, is what God did with him. "Called...set apart for the Gospel...."

Wonder what might happen if I approached every situation and relationship with the settled conviction of my servitude in Christ, and the rather liberating grasp upon the reality that my significance rests solely in what God has and will do with me by His gracious choice.

I am yours, Lord.
Just as I am.
Without one plea.
You hold all the cards in these negotiations.
My only hope lies in that which you offered when your blood, Lord Jesus, was shed for me, and the unfathomable fact that you call and invite me to come to you.
I come.
I come.

T(s)DD: Give Without Fear 11/13/13

Philippians 4:15-17 NIV Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.

What caught my eye was this last sentence. In giving and receiving, more is "credited to the account" of the giver.

No matter what your bank statement says.

In obeying God's directives to make provision for the church and those who minister there (tithing) and to supply for those in need (generosity), you will have more. More of whatever our souls are made of.

And you can take that to the bank.

Give us courage, Lord, to set aside the first 10% (or more) in keeping with what you have told us to do for your church, your ministers;and for the fatherless and widows, trusting that you will in turn supply all our need according to your riches in Glory in Christ Jesus. Amen.

The (somewhat) Daily Devo: When It's Not So Easy

Philippians 4:10-13 NIV I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

This is amazing all of itself without a hint of context. It's even sentimental. No wonder bits of it make their way to the inspirational plaques and posters. Consider, then, what lies behind.

Paul writes this from prison. Not the humane incarceration we think of; dark, dank, utterly hopeless, chained-to-something, starve-while-your-clothes-rot-unless-your-friends-or-relations-bribe-their-way-in-to-smuggle-you-food-and-clothing prison.

Want to take a moment and read it again?

Ran errands with my 11-year-old son Sunday. We talked a bit about the world into which he is growing up: a world less and less tolerant of Christ and those who confess His Name. A gathering storm. A world not unlike Paul's. (Shudder)

Agree with Paul? Ready to give up whatever comfort or freedom your confession demands of you, draw on Christ's strength, and declare yourself content?

Steel our resolve, Lord, in the gathering storm. We lift up our brothers and sisters throughout the world who's worship houses burn and who are this very day imprisoned, beaten, tortured, killed for that which we so freely and even conveniently confess. Steel yet more our resolve, Lord Jesus, to ever lay claim upon your Holy Name. Amen.

T(S)DD: Brain Wash

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I almost balk at this.  It’s like the lame advice people give you when you complain of some obsession dominating your thought life.  “Well, just don’t think about it.”  (Oh!  Thanks. That never occurred to me.  But now I’ll just not think about it and all will proceed effortlessly. Smirk.) 

While there may be power in positive thinking, there is another power at work distracting my mind from what is best.  I need to continuously, relentlessly invite another Power—God’s Spirit through Christ—to be at work in me.  Without it, Philippians 4:8 is out of reach.   

The practice our church is engaged in from October 6 – December 4 (http://www.soulrevolution.net/about/) of letting an hourly timer remind us to turn to His Word; to focus on God and what God wills and desires, has been a big help for me.  Just one more way to rely upon God to transform me by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:1-2).    

Father, don’t give up on us, we pray through Christ.  Please keep making us what you want us to be.  We could ask for no greater calling or destiny than this.  In Jesus we pray.  Amen.  

T(S)DD: Such A Deal!

Philippians 4:4-7 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It has been too long since Bradley and I blew our allowances at an arcade, throwing overpriced tokens at sundry games and collecting tickets to exchange for dollar store toys, trinkets and (my son's favorite) whoopee cushions. It has been far, far longer since my mother would collect stamps obtained as points from grocery stores (shopping incentives that predate loyalty cards) and turn them in for toasters and transistor radios.

Here in Philippians Paul describes a far better--if uneven--exchange: anxiety for peace. I just present it to God in prayer that asks for help thankfully and I walk away puzzled but peaceful. Beats whoopee cushions and cheap toasters, that's for sure.

Teach us, God of all Comfort, to openly, pleadingly, gratefully cast our cares upon you. In the name of the Prince of Peace. Amen.

T(S)DD: Friendly Fire

It is, one would surmise, human nature to think the best about yourself: assume the purity of one's own motives.

Which is a very good way to keep from changing, improving, growing.

Here are five words that might help: "Identify with the bad guy." When in reading Scripture, you encounter any scenario where someone is behaving badly, *before* moving on having assumed that the Word is referring to other people, ask yourself if it might be you and in what way.

Philippians 3:18-19 NIV For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

Forgive me, Father God, for my mind is too often "set on earthly things." May I not be numbered among the enemies of your Son's Cross. In Jesus. Amen.

The Daily Devo: Taking Out the Trash

Step One: List all your assets. Not merely financial. Include all your degrees, memberships, professional associations, certifications. If you are my age, include your spouse's accomplishments; and those of all your offspring. Everything you have going for you and all you feel good about or take pride in. Step 2: Read Philippians 3:7-11 (ESV): 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. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Step 3: God and Father, this makes me think of the words of C.S. Lewis who opined, "A man thinks he is finding his place in the world when really it is finding its place in him." Teach me, Lord, to genuinely look upon all I am and have and assign it it's proper place in the scheme of things: filth; trash over against the accomplishment of simply being found in you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

The (somewhat) Daily Devo: Caution! God Working

Philippians 2:12-13 NIV Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

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Watched my son working the extra credit on his math page last night. He said it wasn't terrible; it was just that he was nearly out of brain cells. Looked hard to me, though.

If read as an individual, working out my salvation with fear and trembling reads like a tough homework assignment. (Math certainly has that affect on me). But (to beat a dead horse) "your" is plural. Where believers associate in common faith and practice, we are working it out together; in community, each doing what we do best. And God is at work too, seeing to it His Will and purpose get done.

I feel better now. With this info, I can face the Day.

Father, though we are spread out today, please use us as one body, working out our salvation, accomplishing your purposes. In Jesus. Amen.

The (somewhat) Daily Devo: "Every Knee"

Philippians 2:5-11 NLT

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with
God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
To the glory of God the Father.

The "Hymn of Christ" kind of speaks for itself.

Before we pray, here's that first verse in another translation just to drive the point home:

Philippians 2:5 NIV In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus....

Father, may this mindset of Christ Jesus be in us, no matter where we labor, learn and live. May we make in our minds neither excuse nor exception--for He, though Divine, made none. In Jesus, to whom every knee will bow. Amen.

The (somewhat) Daily Devo: "Don't Stop There!"

Philippians 2:1-4 ESV "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy...."

[Apparently, if your faith community is characterized by Christ's encouragement and his comforting love you, and God's Spirit is uniting you, and you are concerned for others, you are just getting started! Don't stop there! That's not the end game. There's a richness yet to be known in community when the Spirit has granted these miracles. Reading on...] "

...complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

As I read these verses, I see a glimpse of our five-year journey in our church plant in Sherwood, OR.  We've come a long way this year and seen the Spirit work in us some of that encouragement, comfort, love. Now we hope to keep journeying in prayer together, entrusting ourselves to an earlier reference to things being made complete in Philippians 1:6: "I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

If you live around here and crave a faith community that is praying tenaciously for a fresh work of God's Spirit, give me a shout. If not, fall on your knees right now and seek the Lord for a community like that!  

The (somewhat) Daily Devo: Purposeful

Philippians 1:19-25 NIV

...For I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith....

"For your progress and joy in the faith"

That would apparently be Paul's immediate answer, his knee-jerk response, if you asked him, "why do you want to go on living?" Yesterday's post intimated that Paul's existence was just a skosh lacking in the "creature comforts" department.
Astounding.

Father I define life too much by its comforts and assign far too much purpose to life on pursuits of fleeting consequence and selfish ambition. Please keep reshaping me into that person whose chief aim in life is the faith--the progressing, joy-filled faith-- of those with whose company you have enriched my life. In Jesus. Amen.

The (somewhat) Daily Devo: Because of my Chains

Philippians 1:14 NIV And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. I don't like hurting; going through hard times; being limited by disease. Anymore than Paul--the writer of the letter--liked being chained to a damp wall, or kept in a filthy cage in utter darkness among rodents and the screams of the torchered and crazed, eating only what brave friends managed to bring him when they could bribe their way in. Apparently there is a difference between liking something painful, limiting, challenging and...finding joy in it. Because Paul measured his misery against the advance of the Good News. "Other Christ-followers are sharing about Christ more--and more confidently--because I'm going through this. OK. Good deal." Jesus never promised an easy life. He did promise He would be there. Father, whatever I experience, whether so pleasant I forget pain or the worst sort of pain this evil world can dredge up, I pray you, in your miraculous way, will make the most of it to draw me and others closer to your Son. In Jesus. Amen

The (somewhat) Daily Devo: Y'all

Philippians 1:3-6 NLT Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. ____________________________________ Please reread the paragraph above with this information in mind: the word "you" is plural. Might help to mentally read "all of you together" each time you read "you.". Sure, it's an awkward read, but it drives home a point: we're in this together. Worshipping together; eating, laughing, praying together; sharing our burdens. You'll find Philippians has a lot to say about joy. I suspect the fact that--in the ancient language from which it is translated-the plural form of "you" is employed generously throughout. Increase our sense of oneness, Lord, and our awareness throughout the day and week that you are with us always, and we're traveling together in the Fellowship of the Spirit. In Jesus. Amen.

The (Somewhat) Daily Devo

Just read Mark chapter 15 this morning, the heart of the Gospel. Never enough reminders that as Christians the Cross--the humiliating, sacrificial death of our God--is central to our understanding and worship of God. From the Cross we derive meaning and purpose.

"The Message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction!  But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT)

Father, may we be mindful of the Cross of Christ today. May it inform everything we think, say, and do. In Jesus.  Amen.