Lent ~ Holy Surprises!

When we are truly open, we will be surprised by something in the encounter. And that surprise - that unique presence of God - can be called . . . holiness.
Robert J. Wicks from Living Simply in an Anxious World (pg. 51)

The Pharisees continue to question the beggar, "This man who opened your eyes - who do you say he is?" This miracle has caused much controversy and questioning, much examination and concern. Even the man's parents must face the inquisitors. We can identify with this man and his parents if we are willing to stand up and share our experience with Jesus. There will always be those who question and doubt.

Read John 9:17-34

[The beggar responds] "I don't know whether he is a sinner . . . but I do know this: I was blind, and now I can see!" John 9:25 NLT

When we encounter the Living Christ, we are changed from the inside; we are transformed. Christ puts a robe of righteousness around our shoulders and welcomes us into the family. Do we suddenly have all the answers? No and we never will have all the answers. As followers of Christ our response must be to simply tell our faith-story.

consider this!

• Why was it important that the Pharisees shed doubt on the beggar's healing?
• Remember a time when your faith was challenged. What did you say or do?
• Tell your faith-story ~ it is the most meaningful tool for sharing the Gospel you have.

Holy One ~ The world denies You, attempts to minimize Your power. Sometimes the task to tell my story seems daunting ~ does MY story really matter, isn't it God's story I should tell? what if they mock me? what if they do not listen? Make my faith bold enough to stand and share my own God-story with another. Make me humble in the telling of Your Faithfulness and Grace. Amen. ~dho

Lent ~ Self-righteous Divisions

The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation. Charles Spurgeon

The Pharisees were an influential religious authority in Judaism. They enforced the Jewish laws. Knowledgeable and well-versed in the Scriptures, the Pharisees quoted the law and prided themselves on living the law. In some ways, we who attend church and Bible studies, teach Sunday School, serve on church committees and sing in the choir can act the same as the Pharisees. We, too, can be self-righteous in our actions to those we think are less religious than we are.

Read John 9:13-16

Some of the Pharisees said, "This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath." Others said, "But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?" So there was deep division of opinion among them. John 9:16 NLT

Churches and religious organizations and Christians struggle with the same issues as the Pharisees. In our desire to represent God to the world, we create a deep division between ordinary sinners and religious sinners. There is none. Our pride gets in the way and often can be a wedge instead of a lever; we hinder instead of encourage. In our disagreements, we plod on in our 'certainty' without love or compassion or gentleness. How like the Pharisees we can be!

consider this!

• What was the Sabbath? To what law were the Pharisees referring?
• Give an example of a deep division in a religious group today.
• How do you know Jesus is from God? Give a Scripture to support your statement.

Lord ~ Forgive me when I find more delight in knowing about You than in 'knowing You". Give me eyes to see my neighbors as You see me ~ a sinner in need of grace. Amen. ~dho

Lent ~ Delightful Giving

God loves us; not because we are loveable but because He is love, not because He needs to receive but because He delights to give. C.S. Lewis

How like the blind beggar we are, sitting beside the road with life moving passed us every day. So often we are 'blind' to the opportunities to serve, the weariness of others, even the prayers offered for us! We miss God's goodness all around us, the gestures of love by strangers and friends; we miss the loneliness of those we know.

Read John 9:8-12

"How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded.
[The beggar] replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." John 9:10-11

When God finds us, He offers us love; He delights to give us unconditional love. If we listen to Him and follow His instructions, our eyes are opened to His goodness and grace, to the needs around us, to the Spirit's leading. As we respond in faith, we find our hearts grow more compassionate, more loving, more giving ~ more like Him.

consider this!

• What were the responses of those who knew the blind beggar?
• How is the beggar's life changed?
• Like the crowd, do you ever ask, "Where is [Jesus]?"

Immanuel ~ God with us ~ You are with us even when we do not notice. You embrace us even when we feel unworthy. You carry us when we cannot move. You open our eyes to new possibilities. Thank You for more! Amen. ~dho

Lent ~ Questions

God by His providence brings you into circumstances that you can't understand at all, but the Spirit of God understands. God brings you to places, among people, and into certain conditions to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you. Oswald Chambers from My Utmost for His Highest

Situations that we do not understand happen all the time. Disasters, poverty, crime and diseases are part of everyday life. We live in a fallen world; sin rules, and Satan is the prince of darkness. Yet, God can take each of these circumstances ~ especially the hardest ones that are beyond understanding ~ and show us how we can use them to give Him glory.

Read John 9:1-7

Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who send me here . . .I am the world's Light. John 9:3-5 The Message

In a crisis, the one question that usually remains unanswered is "WHY". Scripture tells us not to waste time assigning blame, rather we are to see God in every circumstance, looking for a way to be the light of Jesus to the world. Will we understand everything then? No! The right questions are How can I best praise God in this crisis? Will others see Jesus in my reactions? Am I turning to God for His vision in difficult times?.

consider this!

• In verse 2, what question did the disciples ask Jesus?
• Did the blind man approach Jesus and ask for healing?
• How is Jesus improving your vision?

Jesus ~ You are the Great Physician who heals the bruised and broken. How often I think that only means physical healing. You always offer spiritual healing through difficult circumstances. The world blames You when life becomes dark and complicated. But You are Light and Love! Teach me how to praise God in all things, at all times. For His Goodness is everlasting. Amen. ~dho

5th Sunday in Lent ~ Telling the Truth

We must never lose our capacity to be amazed by grace.
RC Sproul from The Holiness of God

In the following Scripture verses, Jesus' identity is questioned. Jesus responds to His accusers revealing His Divinity. Jesus ~ fully man ~ stands before those who doubt His true identity, and Jesus ~ being fully God ~ states His divine nature. The crowd's response ~ At this, they picked up stones to stone him. . .

Read John 8:48-59

Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
John 8:58 NKJV

As believers, we too find ourselves attacked by accusers, by Satan himself, by those who doubt. We must be ready to stand firm and glorify God, tell our faith-story to those who will listen. Our credibility may be questioned by the crowd, but God searches every heart. Our testimony must give Glory to I AM. God will handle everything else.

consider this!

• In John 8:58, what was Jesus really saying?
• Read Exodus 3:6,14; who is I AM?
• From these OT and NT Scriptures, describe the character of God.

Yahweh ~ You are I AM, the beginning and the end; yet there is no ending of Your presence or power or provision. You call me, teach me, strengthen me. Your Grace is wordless and pours over me, makes me new again. It is You that I worship and praise. Embraced by Perfect Love, I will tell Your story! Amen. ~dho

Lent ~Hear What God Says

The alternate beats of the Christian heart are receptivity and response - receptivity from God and response in work from us.
E. Stanley Jones from "The Habit of Reading the Bible Daily" as found in Devotional Classics edited by Foster and Smith

Christ came to earth from the Father with the desire to offer Perfect Love for every person. God revealed Himself to the world through Christ; now, He reveals Himself to us through the Word. We need to spend time reading the Scriptures. Let us ask ourselves How much time do I spend with God every day?

Read John 8:39-47
[Jesus said] . . . I have not come on my own; but [the Father] sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. John 8:42-43 NIV

If we do not understand God's message, do not find God's plan revealed for our lives, it is because we are not seeking Him. The father of lies speaks and shouts, tempts and taunts, distracts and discourages us. If we belong to God, we will listen for Truth. Whose messages do you hear the loudest?

consider this!

• Reading the verses above, contrast Jesus, Son of God, with Satan, father of lies.
• If spending time in God's Word is the way we understand more about God, how will you commit to doing this?
• What is the "language" of Jesus? Is it a foreign language to you?

Father of Light ~ I know that spending time with You is essential in growing an intimate relationship. The father of lies tries to capture my time, wrestles with my commitment, delights when I fail. He calls that time unnecessary Bible study, "homework," a waste of time. He convinces me that what the world calls IMPORTANT should be my priorities. Cleanse this heart; make it holy. Strengthen me; encourage me. I want to speak the same language as You. Amen. ~dho

Lent ~ Jesus Tells God's Children

It is the simple truth that holds you together in the most complex situations. Not simplistic, but simple. The profound truth that the Bible gives us is like a warm blanket wrapped around us on a cold night. Charles R. Swindoll

Scripture tells us that Jesus is the truth that will set you free. This Truth is offered as Grace. God's love is greater than we can ever understand, and He delights in offering us freedom and eternal life. Through Jesus we are ransomed, rescued and reconciled. Only Truth can do this.

Read John 8:31-38
[Jesus says] So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free. Yes, I realize that . . . some of you are trying to kill me because my message does not find a place in your hearts. John 8:36-37 NLT

Truth must dwell in our hearts, must become part of who we are, must be evidenced in our lives - both in word and deed. Satan champions the weak and cheers the arrogant. Daily, believers find themselves taunted by the Deceiver, tricked by the Accuser. Only Truth can overpower evil.

consider this!

• In verse 32, what is the "truth" Jesus references?
• What are the consequences of sin? Find a Scripture to support this.
• Does the world find Jesus' message in my heart?

Jesus ~ You are Perfect Truth that paid the price for my sins, finds me where I am, longs for a relationship with me. When the world captures my attention and lures me with its shiny gimmicks, my heart feels the emptiness. You give me the freedom to rise above, to soar on eagle's wings. Forgive my care-less heart. Amen. ~dho

Lent ~ Christ is the Truth

We cannot claim to know Christ and to honor Him if we refuse the path He calls us to follow. Erwin Raphael McManus from The Barbarian Way (pg. 140)

Surrounded by words and voices that demand recognition, we hear many messages. We must listen and discern which ones are Truth. Many well-known celebrities promote literary works that represent partial truths yet greatly influence people. In the quest for intellectual pursuits, we compromise, we rationalize, we doubt. How can we know what is false and what is Truth?

Read 2 John 1:9-11

Anyone who gets so progressive in his thinking that he walks out on the teaching of Christ, walks out on God. . . 2 John 1:9 The Message

Scripture warns that there will be false teaching. In our faithfulness to God, we must spend time in the Living Word, praying to the Holy One, listening for the Spirit of Truth. It is our journey with Christ ~ learning to depend on Him ~ that gives us the strength and wisdom to know what is false and what is Truth. We must trust in Christ.

consider this!

• Think of at least 3 examples of "false teaching" today.
• Why are partial truths dangerous?
• How dependent are you on Christ for wisdom?

Jesus ~ As we study about You, it is easy to find the many ways evil tried to attack You and Your ministry. As followers of You, we are often taunted by the evil one. Chaos and distractions and doubt come from the one who pursues us with false teachings. But You encourage us, shepherd us, grace us into Truth with love. Amen. ~dho

Lent ~ Rewards

Be with me in my silence and my speech, in my haste and in my leisure, in company and in solitude, in the freshness of morning and in the weariness of the evening; and give me grace at all times to rejoice in Thy mysterious companionship. John Baille

Loyalty is not valued much in the world today. Both employees and employers make the choices that suite them best, give them the best financial outcomes. Rarely do we read of the reverse. In decades past, loyalty was respected. Our loyalty to God waivers as we weigh possibility. What effect does this have on our future?

Read 2 John 1:7-8

Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 2 John 1:8 ESV

God never changes. Neither does His Faithfulness to His children. In our faithfulness to growing a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, we find the desire to love Him and serve Him grows exponentially. God's Promise to all believers is that we will be awarded our earned Service Rewards in Heaven. The more like Jesus we love each other, the greater our rewards.

consider this!

• Describe a time you were deceived by a partial truth.
• Read Romans 6:20-23. How does this help you understand God's rewards?
• How are your loyalty reward points looking?

God of mercy, God of grace ~ You give to us in every way, never leaving us, never turning from us, never forgetting Your promises. We do just the opposite ~ taking but not sharing, searching but not finding satisfaction, remembering difficulty but forgetting Your goodness. We are humbled that You are a loyal companion to us ~ faithful and true. Amen. ~dho

Lent ~ Love Means . . .

Our preciousness, uniqueness, and individuality are not given to us by those who meet us in clock-time - our brief chronological existence - but by the One who has chosen us with an everlasting love, a love that existed from all eternity and will last through all eternity.
Henri Nouwen from Life of the Beloved (pg. 51)

Tennyson wrote I am a part of all that I have met. We are the same -with our experiences mingling and mirroring and monitoring the experiences of those we meet. This is what Nouwen refers to as our brief chronological existence. Yet, more importantly, how do we live?

Read 2 John 1:4-6

I can't tell you how happy I am to learn that many members of your congregation are diligent in living out the Truth . . . Love means following His commandments, and His unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love. . .
2 John 1:4,6 The Message

The love John writes about is a Holy Love that God gives to us just because He chooses to love us. Mostly, our finite minds cannot comprehend any person who would love us ~ just as we are. God's generous Love stands ready to shape us into more while we waiver casually in search of self. Truth calls to us conduct your lives in love!

consider this!

• Think about how consistently you conduct your lives in love.
• God's commandment is "to love" ~ Was John teaching something new?
• Are you becoming "more"? Do you credit "clock-time" or "God's Love?

Lord ~ In our every day, the world influences us, tells us partial truths, places unworthy desires in our hearts. The world calls and is unrelenting. But You - You whisper songs of mercy, show us Eternal Truth, embrace us with extravagant love. Why do we choose the world over You? Help us see the One who chooses us! Teach us to be diligent. Amen. ~dho

Lent ~ Truth and Love

Grace is . . . a burst of light in a room where everyone forgot it was dark. David Jeremiah from Captured by Grace (pg. 12)

Jesus is "Truth" and "Love" personified. Because of who Christ is, we are redeemed and reconciled to the Father through Truth and Love, through Christ. This Absolute Truth and Divine Love comes to us freely and embraces us fully.

Read 2 John 1:1-3

. . . Christ . . . be with us who live in truth and love. 2 John 1:3 NLT

When we live in truth and love, it is because Grace pours over us. How easily this is taken for granted! We forget about Grace, forget about the Source of Grace, forget that we live in a world of darkness. Christ never forgets us, especially in the darkness. Christ is a burst of light!

consider this!

• What "truth" does the Scripture reference?
• Am I aware that Christ abides with me?
• Do I really live in truth and love?

Jesus ~ Undeserved Grace pour over me bringing me into the Light Everlasting. You abide with me every moment. Amen. ~dho