United in Christ

When we come across a list of names in the Bible, we might be tempted to skip over it. But we can find treasures there, such as in the list of the twelves apostles whom Jesus called to serve in His name. Many are familiar- Simon whom Jesus called Peter, the rock Brothers James and John, fishermen. Judas Iscariot, the betrayer. But we could easily overlook that Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot must once have been enemies.
      Matthew collected taxes for Rome, and therefore, in the eyes of his fellow Jews, collaborated with the enemy. Tax collectors were despised for their corrupt practices and for requiring the Jewish people to give money to an authority other than God. On the other hand, before Jesus's call, Simon the Zealot was devoted to a group of Jewish nationalists who hated Rome and sought to overturn it, often through aggressive and violent means.
     Although Matthew and Simon held opposing political beliefs, the gospels don't document them bickering or fighting about them. They must have had at least some success in leaving their previous allegiances behind as they followed Christ.
     When we too fix our eyes on Jesus, the God who became Man, we can find increasing unity with our fellow believers through the bond of the Holy Spirit.
      Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You exist in perfect harmony. May Your Spirit dwell in us that the world might see You, and believe.
     Our strongest allegiance is to Christ, who gives us unity with each other.
Please read Isaiah 32-33 and Colossians 1

The Drinkable Book

Because it is so difficult in parts of the world to find clean drinking water, an organization called Water is Life developed a wonderful resource called " The Drinkable Book." The paper in the book is coated in silver nanoparticles that filter out almost 99.9 percent of harmful bacteria! Each tear-out page can be used and reused to filter up to 100 liters of water at the cost of only four pennies per page.
     The Bible is also an unusually " drinkable" Book. In John 4, we read of a particular kind of thirst and a special kind of water. The woman at the well needed much more than to quench her physical thirst with clean, clear liquid. She was desperate to know the source of  living water." She needed the grace and forgiveness that comes from God alone.
     God's Word is the ultimate " drinkable" Book that points to God's Son as the sole source of " living water." And those who accept the water that Jesus gives will experience " a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
     Father, we yearn for the satisfaction that only You can give. Help us discard the things that leave us empty and thirsting, and exchange them for the satisfaction of the living water You offer.
     Jesus is the sole source of living water.
Please read Isaiah 30-31 and Philippians 4
   

Graping The Cross

In 1856, Charles Spurgeon, the great London preacher, founded the Pastor's College to train men for the Christian ministry. It was renamed Spurgeon's College in 1923. Today's college crest shows a hand grasping a cross and the Latin words, Et Teneo, Et Teneor, which means, " I hold and am held."
      In his autobiography, Spurgeon wrote, " This is our college motto. We...hold forth the cross of Christ with a bold hand...because that Cross holds us fast by its attractive power. Our desire is that every man may both hold the Truth, and be held by it; especially the truth of Christ crucified."
     In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he expressed this truth as the bedrock of his life. " Not that I have....already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me" ( Philippians 3:12) As followers of Jesus, we extend the message of the cross to others as Jesus holds us fast in His grace and power. " I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." ( Galatians 2:20)
     Our Lord holds us in His grip of love each day-and we hold out His message of love to others.
     Lord Jesus, Your cross is the focal point of history and the turning point of our lives. Hold us tightly as we cling to Your cross and extend Your love to others.
     We hold to the cross of Christ and are held by it.
Please read Isaiah 28-29 and Philippians 3

Praising and Asking

Teen challenge, a ministry to at-risk youth that started in New York City, was born from an unusual commitment to prayer. Its founder, David Wilkerson, sold his television set spent his TV-watching time (two hours each night) praying. In the months that followed, he not only gained clarity about his new endeavor but he also learned about the balance between praising God and asking Him for help.
      King Solomon's temple dedication prayer shows this balance. Solomon began by highlighting God's holiness and faithfulness. Then he gave God credit for the success of the project and emphasized God's greatness, declaring, " The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! ( 2 Chronicles 6:18)
      After exalting God, Solomon asked Him to pay special attention to everything that happened inside the temple. He asked God to show mercy to the Israelites and to provide for them when they confessed their sin.
      Immediately after Solomon's prayer, " fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple". This incredible response reminds us that the mighty One we praise and speak to when we pray is the same One who listens to and cares about our requests.
     How would you describe your conversations with God? What might help you grow closer to Him as you pray?
     Prayer helps us see things as God sees them.
   

Good Medicine

Careless driving, rising tempers, and use of foul language among some taxi and minibus drivers are a constant source of traffic fights in our city of Accra, Ghana. But one traffic incident I witnessed took a different turn. A bus was almost by a careless taxi driver. I expected the bus driver to get angry and yell at the other driver, but he didn't. Instead, the bus driver relaxed his stern face and smiled broadly at the guilty looking taxi driver. And the smile worked wonders. With a raised hand, the taxi driver apologized, smiled back, and moved away-the tension diffused.
     A smile has a fascinating effect on our brain chemistry. Researchers have found that  when we smile it releases brain chemicals called endorphins which have an actual physiological relaxing effect." Not only can a smile diffuse a tense situation, but it can also diffuse tension within us. Our emotions affect us as well as others. The bible teaches us to " get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another" ( ephesians 4:31-32)
     When anger or tension or bitterness threatens our relationship with the Lord and with others, it helps to remember that a " cheerful heart is good medicine" for our own joy and that well-being.
      Think about a time when you were angry with someone or when you had an argument. How did you feel inside What parts of your life did it affect?
     We find joy when we learn to live in Jesus's love.
   

Setting Prisoners Free

When my wife and I visited the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force near Savannah, Georgia, we were especially moved by the prisoner-of-war exhibit, with its re-creation of a German prisoner-of-war camp's barracks.
     Marlene's dad, Jim, served in the Eighth Air Force, the " Mighty Eighth, " as they flew missions over Europe during World War 2. During the war, the Eighth Air Force suffered over 47,000 injuries and more than 26,000 deaths. Jim was one of those shot down and held as prisoner of war. As we walked through the exhibit, we recalled Jim telling about the absolute joy he and his fellow prisoners felt the day they were set free.
     God's care for the oppressed and liberation of the imprisoned are declared in Psalm 146. The psalmist describes the one who " upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry, " who " sets prisoners free." All of this is cause for celebration and praise. But the greatest freedom of all is freedom from our guilt and shame. No wonder Jesus said, " So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." ( JOHN 8:36)
     Through Christ's sacrifice, we are set free from the prison of sin to know His joy and love and the freedom that only forgiveness can bring.
     The prison of sin cannot withstand the power of Christ's forgiveness.
Please read Isaiah 20-22 and Ephesians 6

No Outsiders

In the remote region of Ghana where I lived as a boy, " Chop time, no friend" was a common proverb. Locals considered it impolite to visit at " chop time" ( mealtime) because food was often scarce. The maxim applied to neighbors and outsiders alike.
     But in the Philippines, where I also lied for a time, even if you visit unannounced at mealtime, your hosts will insist on sharing with you regardless of whether they have enough for themselves. Cultures differ for their own good reasons.
     As the Israelites left Egypt, God provided specific instructions to govern their culture. But rules-even God's rules-can never change hearts. So Moses said, " Change your hearts and stop being stubborn" ( DEUT. 10:16). Interestingly, right after issuing that challenge Moses took up the topic of Israel's treatment of outsiders. God " loves the foreigner residing among you," he said, " giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt".
     Israel served the " God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome". One powerful way they were to show their identification with God was by loving foreigners-those from outside their culture.
     What might this small picture of God's character mean for us today? How can we show His love to the marginalized and the needy in our world?
     Heavenly Father, help us bless others today by showing Your love in some small way.
     In Christ there are no outsiders.
Please read Isaiah 17-19 and Ephesians 5:17-33