Good morning friends,
Today's readings is a beautiful passage from Isaiah that gives us a vision of God's future redemption of the world. We don't know when God will bring history to its completion, but the images we get of that completion remind us that in the end things work out beautifully. Those images remind us that God can bring new life our of death and peace out of trouble. Knowing that the end will be wonderful gives us courage to live our faith now because we know that the suffering and hardship that are so widespread now will not have the last word. In that way this vision of the end is like the resurrection; death will be swallowed up forever and God will wipe away all our tears.
May that hope give you courage and joy in your ministry today,
Sam
Isaiah 25:6-9
6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
7 And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
8 he will swallow up death for ever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
9 It will be said on that day,
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Showing posts with label future hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label future hope. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
groaning in hope
Good morning sisters and brothers,
Today Paul writes that we aren't meant to be God's slaves who obey out of fear. Instead we are God's children who seek to do God's will out of love. When we open our spirits in prayer to God, the Holy Spirit living inside us joins in our prayer calling out to our Father in heaven.
As things are now, being children of God is hard because we also feel a separation from God. We are separated because the world we live in is still in rebellion against God, even though we have come to rely on God. The world itself feels that separation too, Paul says. The land and seas are torn up not only by the pollution our sinful greed pours out, but also by the fact that our separation from God brings the world with it. One day our separation from God will be healed. Until then we, who know we are God's children, groan as we wait for the full reconciliation of the world with God. The Spirit strengthens us to wait with hope.
God bless,
Sam
Romans 8:14-25
14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
18I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Today Paul writes that we aren't meant to be God's slaves who obey out of fear. Instead we are God's children who seek to do God's will out of love. When we open our spirits in prayer to God, the Holy Spirit living inside us joins in our prayer calling out to our Father in heaven.
As things are now, being children of God is hard because we also feel a separation from God. We are separated because the world we live in is still in rebellion against God, even though we have come to rely on God. The world itself feels that separation too, Paul says. The land and seas are torn up not only by the pollution our sinful greed pours out, but also by the fact that our separation from God brings the world with it. One day our separation from God will be healed. Until then we, who know we are God's children, groan as we wait for the full reconciliation of the world with God. The Spirit strengthens us to wait with hope.
God bless,
Sam
Romans 8:14-25
14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
18I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
new heavens and a new earth
Good morning brothers and sisters,
The book of Isaiah is actually thought to be several books, but the common theme is God's word to Jerusalem. The Prophet Isaiah himself had his ministry in the 8th century BCE, a time when Jerusalem and the kingdom was doing pretty well in some ways and teetering on the edge of destruction in others. The main idea Isaiah was sent to bring was that Judah's injustice would bring disaster and defeat. This part of the book is roughly Chapters 1-40. Second Isaiah is the second part of the book (Roughly Chapters 40-55) and speaks into the time of Judah's exile in Babylon. Since the people have seen God's judgment first hand, these words are mostly words of comfort and hope for a future in the land as God's people again. Third Isaiah, from chapters 56-66, deals with the people after they have returned to their land and have not found complete renewal. These words are words of challenge and hope that God will complete the work of salvation begun in the Exodus and continued in the liberation from Babylon.
Second and Third Isaiah are often read during Advent because of the promise of God's kingdom and renewal. Our passage from today is one of Third Isaiah's visions of the completion of God's kingdom. We see harmony, abundance, peace and joy as a result of God's closeness. This future sustains us in hard times as we seek God's justice and love in a troubled world today.
God bless and enjoy the beautiful day,
Sam
Isaiah 65:17-25
17For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. 19I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. 20No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.
21They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the LORD-and their descendants as well. 24Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. 25The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent-its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the LORD.
The book of Isaiah is actually thought to be several books, but the common theme is God's word to Jerusalem. The Prophet Isaiah himself had his ministry in the 8th century BCE, a time when Jerusalem and the kingdom was doing pretty well in some ways and teetering on the edge of destruction in others. The main idea Isaiah was sent to bring was that Judah's injustice would bring disaster and defeat. This part of the book is roughly Chapters 1-40. Second Isaiah is the second part of the book (Roughly Chapters 40-55) and speaks into the time of Judah's exile in Babylon. Since the people have seen God's judgment first hand, these words are mostly words of comfort and hope for a future in the land as God's people again. Third Isaiah, from chapters 56-66, deals with the people after they have returned to their land and have not found complete renewal. These words are words of challenge and hope that God will complete the work of salvation begun in the Exodus and continued in the liberation from Babylon.
Second and Third Isaiah are often read during Advent because of the promise of God's kingdom and renewal. Our passage from today is one of Third Isaiah's visions of the completion of God's kingdom. We see harmony, abundance, peace and joy as a result of God's closeness. This future sustains us in hard times as we seek God's justice and love in a troubled world today.
God bless and enjoy the beautiful day,
Sam
Isaiah 65:17-25
17For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. 19I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. 20No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.
21They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the LORD-and their descendants as well. 24Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. 25The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent-its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the LORD.
Friday, October 15, 2010
plans for your welfare
Good morning friends,
God speaks comfort and hope through Jeremiah to the exiles from Judah. Despite the pain of exile and judgment, God still has Judah's welfare in mind. God sent Judah into exile for their injustice and rejection of the covenant. But once the time comes, God will bring them back to their land again. God has not abandoned God's people.
That doesn't mean God brings trouble on us, but it does mean God can bring good out of evil. What might exile mean to us today? What would it mean for God to bring us home? When we seek God, we will find him. The path is not always clear, but God is with us.
God bless,
Sam
Jeremiah 29:10-14
10For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
12Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. 13When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, 14I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
God speaks comfort and hope through Jeremiah to the exiles from Judah. Despite the pain of exile and judgment, God still has Judah's welfare in mind. God sent Judah into exile for their injustice and rejection of the covenant. But once the time comes, God will bring them back to their land again. God has not abandoned God's people.
That doesn't mean God brings trouble on us, but it does mean God can bring good out of evil. What might exile mean to us today? What would it mean for God to bring us home? When we seek God, we will find him. The path is not always clear, but God is with us.
God bless,
Sam
Jeremiah 29:10-14
10For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
12Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. 13When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, 14I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
rescue
Good morning sisters and brothers,
Today we continue with Jeremiah's rebuke to the people of Israel for their idolatry. The immediate future for Israel looks bleak because of God's judgment. At the same time in this passage we begin to see a ray of hope for the longer-term future. Our passage says, "The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when it shall no longer be said, “As the Lord lives who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of Egypt,” but “As the Lord lives who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of the north...” In other words, the event people will see as the defining moment in God's relationship with Israel won't be the Exodus anymore, but the coming salvation from exile. The rescue from this exile will be just as clear a proof of God's love and power as the dramatic rescue from Egypt that has been remembered joyfully for thousands of years.
We're wise to remember the ways God has saved us in the past because those moments remind us of God's love and faithfulness. God's salvation is also continuing so we can look forward to new ways God will renew our relationship with him. We think about the God who raised Jesus from the dead, the God who led the early church, the God who gets us through the hard days, the God who strengthens us for ministry in New Orleans. Truly the Lord lives and he can save us powerfully today from everything that holds us back. Each of these rescues gives us a view of God's character and love.
Blessings on your day,
Sam
Jeremiah 16:15-21
14Therefore, the days are surely coming, says the Lord, when it shall no longer be said, “As the Lord lives who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of Egypt,” 15but “As the Lord lives who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the lands where he had driven them.” For I will bring them back to their own land that I gave to their ancestors.
16I am now sending for many fishermen, says the Lord, and they shall catch them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks. 17For my eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from my presence, nor is their iniquity concealed from my sight. 18And I will doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted my land with the carcasses of their detestable idols, and have filled my inheritance with their abominations.
19O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth and say: Our ancestors have inherited nothing but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit. 20Can mortals make for themselves gods? Such are no gods! 21“Therefore I am surely going to teach them, this time I am going to teach them my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the Lord.”
Today we continue with Jeremiah's rebuke to the people of Israel for their idolatry. The immediate future for Israel looks bleak because of God's judgment. At the same time in this passage we begin to see a ray of hope for the longer-term future. Our passage says, "The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when it shall no longer be said, “As the Lord lives who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of Egypt,” but “As the Lord lives who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of the north...” In other words, the event people will see as the defining moment in God's relationship with Israel won't be the Exodus anymore, but the coming salvation from exile. The rescue from this exile will be just as clear a proof of God's love and power as the dramatic rescue from Egypt that has been remembered joyfully for thousands of years.
We're wise to remember the ways God has saved us in the past because those moments remind us of God's love and faithfulness. God's salvation is also continuing so we can look forward to new ways God will renew our relationship with him. We think about the God who raised Jesus from the dead, the God who led the early church, the God who gets us through the hard days, the God who strengthens us for ministry in New Orleans. Truly the Lord lives and he can save us powerfully today from everything that holds us back. Each of these rescues gives us a view of God's character and love.
Blessings on your day,
Sam
Jeremiah 16:15-21
14Therefore, the days are surely coming, says the Lord, when it shall no longer be said, “As the Lord lives who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of Egypt,” 15but “As the Lord lives who brought the people of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the lands where he had driven them.” For I will bring them back to their own land that I gave to their ancestors.
16I am now sending for many fishermen, says the Lord, and they shall catch them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks. 17For my eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from my presence, nor is their iniquity concealed from my sight. 18And I will doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted my land with the carcasses of their detestable idols, and have filled my inheritance with their abominations.
19O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth and say: Our ancestors have inherited nothing but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit. 20Can mortals make for themselves gods? Such are no gods! 21“Therefore I am surely going to teach them, this time I am going to teach them my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the Lord.”
Saturday, July 24, 2010
hope and editing
Good morning friends,
Our reading today draws the Book of Amos to a close. You'll notice an abrupt change of tone in this reading, though there were hints of the same hopefulness yesterday. Most scholars believe that these passages of renewal were added to Amos later rather than being part of the original book. This is for a few reasons, most of all because the style is so out of synch with the rest of the book, but also because today's words make much more sense written in exile rather than during Amos's prosperous era.
Sometimes it's challenging to face the seams and inconsistencies in the biblical text. At the same time we believe that God speaks through the Bible by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was active in inspiring the original writers of the text, imperfect and diverse as they were, and the Spirit is active in our hearts as we read today. Scripture is no less sacred because it is complicated, and God is not finished speaking to us through the Bible today. These words of hope probably didn't come from Amos's pen, but they are still God's word for us today.
God bless,
Sam
Amos 9:11-15
11On that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen, and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old; 12in order that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name, says the Lord who does this.
13The time is surely coming, says the Lord, when the one who plows shall overtake the one who reaps, and the treader of grapes the one who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. 14I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. 15I will plant them upon their land, and they shall never again be plucked up out of the land that I have given them, says the Lord your God.
Our reading today draws the Book of Amos to a close. You'll notice an abrupt change of tone in this reading, though there were hints of the same hopefulness yesterday. Most scholars believe that these passages of renewal were added to Amos later rather than being part of the original book. This is for a few reasons, most of all because the style is so out of synch with the rest of the book, but also because today's words make much more sense written in exile rather than during Amos's prosperous era.
Sometimes it's challenging to face the seams and inconsistencies in the biblical text. At the same time we believe that God speaks through the Bible by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was active in inspiring the original writers of the text, imperfect and diverse as they were, and the Spirit is active in our hearts as we read today. Scripture is no less sacred because it is complicated, and God is not finished speaking to us through the Bible today. These words of hope probably didn't come from Amos's pen, but they are still God's word for us today.
God bless,
Sam
Amos 9:11-15
11On that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen, and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old; 12in order that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name, says the Lord who does this.
13The time is surely coming, says the Lord, when the one who plows shall overtake the one who reaps, and the treader of grapes the one who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. 14I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. 15I will plant them upon their land, and they shall never again be plucked up out of the land that I have given them, says the Lord your God.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
resurrection faith in action
Good morning friends,
I hope your weekend is starting out well. A few of us had a wonderful discussion last night about some new possibilities in our church life, spurred by a presentation we went to in January by a pastor in Chicago. We'll be opening up that discussion on Sunday after worship for anyone who is interested; please join the conversation.
Today Paul continues his argument that Christ's resurrection means we will be raised, and he argues this point is essential to our life as Christians. Here he mentions the practice of receiving baptism on behalf of the dead, something we don't do in the Presbyterian Church, but which is important to some of our Mormon brothers and sisters. The idea is that a living person receives baptism in the place of someone who has died without being baptized so that the deceased can be raised as a believer. Paul also talks about fighting with wild animals in Ephesus. I'm pretty sure this is the only mention of this episode in the Bible, but we do know that Christians were put in arenas or other closed spaces with wild animals as a spectacle for others to watch and as a way to discourage Christianity. In both cases, Paul's point is the same: our Christian faith gives us hope beyond our human lives because the dead will be raised.
It's important here that Paul puts proper belief along with doing the right thing. We all know people who live a good life without Christian faith, and we know or see others who profess faith in Christ while living in a moral questionable way. Paul calls us to trust in God's love even beyond death and to show that powerful hope in courageous and righteous living.
Blessings in your walk with God today,
Sam
1 Corinthians 15:29-34
29Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30And why are we putting ourselves in danger every hour? 31I die every day! That is as certain, brothers and sisters, as my boasting of you—a boast that I make in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32If with merely human hopes I fought with wild animals at Ephesus, what would I have gained by it? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more; for some people have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
I hope your weekend is starting out well. A few of us had a wonderful discussion last night about some new possibilities in our church life, spurred by a presentation we went to in January by a pastor in Chicago. We'll be opening up that discussion on Sunday after worship for anyone who is interested; please join the conversation.
Today Paul continues his argument that Christ's resurrection means we will be raised, and he argues this point is essential to our life as Christians. Here he mentions the practice of receiving baptism on behalf of the dead, something we don't do in the Presbyterian Church, but which is important to some of our Mormon brothers and sisters. The idea is that a living person receives baptism in the place of someone who has died without being baptized so that the deceased can be raised as a believer. Paul also talks about fighting with wild animals in Ephesus. I'm pretty sure this is the only mention of this episode in the Bible, but we do know that Christians were put in arenas or other closed spaces with wild animals as a spectacle for others to watch and as a way to discourage Christianity. In both cases, Paul's point is the same: our Christian faith gives us hope beyond our human lives because the dead will be raised.
It's important here that Paul puts proper belief along with doing the right thing. We all know people who live a good life without Christian faith, and we know or see others who profess faith in Christ while living in a moral questionable way. Paul calls us to trust in God's love even beyond death and to show that powerful hope in courageous and righteous living.
Blessings in your walk with God today,
Sam
1 Corinthians 15:29-34
29Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30And why are we putting ourselves in danger every hour? 31I die every day! That is as certain, brothers and sisters, as my boasting of you—a boast that I make in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32If with merely human hopes I fought with wild animals at Ephesus, what would I have gained by it? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more; for some people have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
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