Chaplain’s Corner – Traveling Partners

Jun3

How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony! (Psalm 133:1).

We are continuing our focus on our journey. We have been tracking with the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) which sing of the pilgrimage that the Jewish people took to Jerusalem each year to celebrate their festivals, and they also represent the journey the Jewish exiles made back to Jerusalem from their captivity. We are applying this term “journey,” or “pilgrimage” to our growth in our Christian life.  Journey, pilgrimage, and walk are all metaphors commonly used for the sanctification process which occurs from the time we are justified by Christ until the time we are glorified in Christ.

Most of us do not travel alone through this life. In fact, if you are on staff at Nashville Rescue Mission, you definitely are not a solo traveler. You are traveling with fellow staff as well as the people we serve. Most likely, you also have family, friends, neighbors, fellow church members, and service providers with whom you “travel.” We are fellow sojourners, traveling partners.

Back in Bible days, people did not often travel alone because it was dangerous. They traveled in company, having a shared destination, for safety because they could look out for each other along the way. Even today, we as believers have a shared destination, and even though dangers might not be apparent, we know that the Enemy is putting every obstacle possible in our way to throw us off our path to try to prevent us from reaching our Promised Land. Therefore, we realize that as believers we are traveling in company and should be looking out for each other. Here are some ways that we can be effective traveling partners*:

  • Wise up concerning the Enemy’s schemes. As Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians: Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11). Satan is the author of all offenses. His goal is to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). Can you just imagine how gleeful he is right now? We are paying tribute to Satan when we do not live harmoniously with our traveling partners.
  • Encourage one another at all times. As the writer of Hebrews put it, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25). As we all know only too well, the Enemy is very effective in using discouragement, so we need to take very opportunity to infuse our traveling partners with courage; to speak life and not death.
    • “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4).
    • “Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body” (Proverbs 16:24).
    • “A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook” (Proverbs 18:4).
  • Fight for each other. You may recall from the book of Nehemiah what strategy they had to use to build the wall while facing the vicious opposition. “From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked.” (Nehemiah 4:16-18). Make no mistake, we are in a battle. We must remember who the Enemy is and fight together, in harmony, for each other. Nehemiah and his crew were building the wall around Jerusalem. We as believers, as Peter put it in 1 Peter 2:5 – “like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood.”
  • Love one another deeply. Peter, in his first letter, used a framework of pilgrimage. In 1 Peter 1:1, he addressed his letter “To the pilgrims of the Dispersion.” In 1 Peter 2:11, he admonished, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul….” So, in that context, we are commanded: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Loving God and loving each other are the two greatest commandments, so it makes sense that Peter would say, “Above all.” Peter adds that we should love deeply. Not just a superficial love, but with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

My fellow travelers, I love the imagery of standing “shoulder to shoulder” in the following verse. I love you, and I am so happy to be with you on this journey.

“Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder” (Zephaniah 3:9).

In Christ,

Judy

*With credit to Beth Moore’s Bible Study, Stepping Up.

Chaplain’s Corner – Protection

May27

Today’s Chaplain’s Corner continues from the Songs of Ascent, which are written from the perspective of a pilgrim on a journey. Many of these songs speak of dangers which travelers face during their journey. The songwriters are very conscious of the need for protection against the enemy.

  • Psalm 120 and 121 speak of lying, deceit, war, and evil.
  • The writer of Psalm 123 seeks mercy from those who hold him in contempt and scorn. Yes, we want some of that mercy, too!
  • Psalm 124 reminds us of what might have been if it had not been for the LORD’s protection. “…if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us,they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away”  (Psalm 124:2-5).
  • Psalm 129 paints a vivid picture of being run over (picture tire treads on your back). Since they didn’t have trucks back then, the metaphor was to farm equipment. “The plowers plowed on my back, they made their furrows long” (Psalm 129: 3). Ouch! I think some of us have been here.

The enemies of the Jews were real. They faced constant threats. Likewise, we face a real enemy right now in this pandemic. This Covid-19 virus is our enemy and we seek protection. The precautions most of us are taking are quite simple (not easy, mind you, but within our own capabilities)—keeping apart, wearing a mask, washing our hands, making sure our surroundings are clean, etc. We could have been taking these precautions all along but didn’t realize this enemy was out there until people started getting sick. We can also see evidence of a greater enemy, Satan, because we see the effects of his handiwork. The precautions we should be taking against Satan are also quite simple (and not always so easy). We need to stay in alignment with God, in His Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with other believers.

These songs are a reminder that when we face our enemies, we can cry out to Jesus. We can seek mercy. We can seek protection. We can seek justice; to be avenged. God might not answer our prayers in the way we think he should, but sometimes what we need most is to be able to cry out to someone somewhere. And we know that God is good, and that He cares for us, and we know that He hears us when we cry. I love the words in this song, Cry to Jesus (Third Day).

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
And love for the broken heart
And there is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He’ll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus.

“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. “(Psalm 121:7-8)

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – The Journey

May20

 “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me.” Psalm 120:1

I am currently participating with a group of women at my church in a Beth Moore Bible Study, Stepping Up, based on the fifteen “Songs of Ascents,” Psalms 120-134, which sing of the pilgrimage that the Jewish people took to Jerusalem each year to celebrate their festivals, and they also represent the journey the Jewish exiles made back to Jerusalem from their captivity.

Those pilgrimages were historical, but the application for us today is to our growth in our Christian life.  Journey, pilgrimage, and walk are all metaphors commonly used for the sanctification process which occurs from the time we are justified by Christ until the time we are glorified in Christ.

In a purposeful journey, our starting point matters. If I’m just strolling the neighborhood or the park, it doesn’t really matter, but in a purposeful journey, I must have a reason and a starting point, as well as a desired destination.  The Songs of Ascent begin with a distress call, “In my distress I called to the LORD.” Psalm 120 goes on to describe a dangerous and miserable place, both physically and spiritually. In the ESV, the writer says he is an alien in his present place. Our journey begins when we realize that we are in a dangerous and miserable place, somewhere that we don’t belong, so we call out to the LORD.

The next requirement of a purposeful journey is a destination. Psalm 121 provides that imagery of the destination for all of us. “I raise my eyes toward the mountains, Where will my help come from?” (Psalm 121:1).

We are saved by the grace of God, who sent his Son to pay the ultimate punishment for our sin. All we must do to be saved, that is justified before God, is to believe and receive that grace. However, our ongoing growth as a believer, our journey to maturity, is a cooperative process, meaning that it takes our own effort along with the Holy Spirit. One of the things we must do on our journey is to constantly look ahead to our destination. We must raise our eyes toward the mountains constantly rather than looking behind or even side to side. When I’m driving, I like to look around. It scares my husband because he says that I turn the wheel the direction I’m looking. I’m trying to do better, but it is true; we tend to veer off in the direction in which we look. And you can apply that concept to any number of things. The point is to keep our eyes focused on the goal of eternity in the Kingdom of God.

My husband and I recently purchased a roadside protection plan from our automobile insurance company. It’s kind of like AAA.  There’s a tollfree number to call if we get stranded, have a flat tire, need towing, etc. The provider will come to wherever we are, fix the problem, and get us going on our way again. Psalm 121 is also a beautiful reminder that on this journey, God will always protect us. The question in verse 1, “Where will my help come from?”  is answered by the remainder of the psalm. Verse 4 says God is 24/7/365; he “will never slumber nor sleep.” “The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forever more” (Psalm 121:8). I don’t know about you, but that verse is tremendously reassuring to me, especially when I am facing the unknown. And I don’t even have to be concerned about paying an annual fee to keep the plan active. The cost has already been covered for my lifetime.

“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault” (Jude 1:24).

It is a wonderful thing to be on this journey with you as fellow pilgrims in Christ.

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Anchor Down (Plan “A” All the Way)

May13

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

I am shamelessly basing this devotional on my pastor’s sermon* this past Sunday. He knocks it out of the park every Sunday; honestly, I think every Sunday’s message is better than the one before. Many times, I have wanted to incorporate his message into a Chaplain’s Corner, but don’t want to be guilty of plagiarism. However, he started out this sermon saying that he hoped we would share the message. He might have meant share it on Facebook, but since he wasn’t specific, I’m taking the opportunity to share it with you, in abbreviated form, in this Chaplain’s Corner.

Pastor named his sermon, “Weather or not.” We have all faced storms, whether it be bad weather, sickness, financial problems, or unmet expectation. In these storms, we feel powerless, panic, and sometimes we make bad decisions which just make the storm worse. We might wonder why a God who is all-powerful would even send the storm, and there are a couple of possibilities:

  • It could be our own doing, our own fault. Our choices sometimes put us at risk.
  • It could be that God allowed the storm to strengthen our faith.

Regardless, we need never to let the presence of the storm cause us to doubt the presence of God.

Don’t walk in fear; God put us here!

Using Acts 27:14-40, Pastor helped us to see how God has demonstrated what we should do in the presence of a storm, regardless of the cause. Paul was on board a ship that got caught in a northeaster. They were in extreme difficulty, but took the following actions to weather the storm, which are also useful for us today:

  1. Brace Up: “After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship” (v.17).

The soldiers wrapped ropes around the ship to hold it together, to undergird it. Likewise, we should take steps to ensure we have the support we need. We need to be sure that we are not relying on the wrong things to brace ourselves. Money, education, etc. are all good things, but they are not what will ultimately hold us together like the Word of God, faith in our Lord and Savior, and our church family

2. Lighten Up: “Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo (v.18).”

The soldiers then began to throw overboard everything they didn’t absolutely need. What are we carrying around that we need to get rid of, to give to God? Sin? Unforgiveness of someone? Unforgiveness of ourselves? Anger? Fear? These become very heavy, and unnecessary, burdens.

3. Cheer Up: “Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship” (v.22).

Paul encouraged the soldiers with a promise from God. We know from His Word that God is still on the throne, He is in control. We need to remember the promises of God.

4. Anchor Down: “And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come” (v. 29).

Some of our anchors include:

a. Purpose: to be loved by God and to love God, and to tell others about Him.

b. Courage: to walk with boldness in the face of the storm, knowing that in the end we will win.

c. Worship: to turn off the news and turn on worship; to choose worship over whining.

d. Church: we all need a church family.

5. Cut the Ropes: “Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, ‘Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.’ Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s (life)boat and let it go” (v. 31-32).

We need to be all-in. Remove all alternatives to our faith in Christ. Pastor cited the example of Elisha in 1 Kings 19:21 where, when he received his call as a prophet, he stopped in his tracks and burned his plow and oxen so that he would have nothing to come back to, no Plan B. It was Plan A all the way.

I know this is getting old. I know you are tired and frustrated, and so are our guests and program participants. But remember, “Blessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

Anchor Down!!

In Christ,

Judy

*Credits to Pastor Spencer Barnard, Life Center Church (the sermon starts at 18:55).

Chaplain’s Corner – Chosen

May6

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

The first time I really heard this scripture was at my son’s high school commencement. The speaker used this scripture to offer a challenge to the graduates, and it felt like a challenge to me personally, as well.

These are engaging words. What’s better than being chosen? Like many of you, I feared (and fear) not being chosen. Now I was a favorite among my family—I had no fear of being rejected by my parents or grandparents. However, among my friends I was always fearful of being rejected—whether it was for a sports team, for a club, for an invitation to a slumber party, the list goes on. But brothers and sisters in Christ, we have such assurance of being chosen by Jesus. I refer you to the recent Chaplain’s Corner on Fervent Prayer where I quoted Jesus telling his followers, “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?” (Luke 18:7).

And we are a royal priesthood. Jesus is the King of Kings, which means that he is the ultimate royalty. We have been adopted into his family (that also means chosen), so that makes us royalty as well, with direct access to our Lord and Savior. As a holy nation, we are set apart, and as God’s special possession, we know that we are very dear to him.

We have been chosen for a reason. The Old Testament tells the story of a woman who was chosen for a reason. You know the story of Esther, the Jewish girl who was chosen to be Queen of Persia, placed in this high and influential position so that she could prevent the extermination of the Jewish people who had been forcibly taken from their homeland. She was asked to do a very risky thing, something that could have gotten her killed. She fasted and prayed over the decision, and this is what God spoke:

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14.

This scripture gives me the assurance that God’s plans would prevail, with or without Esther; however, he was presenting her with the privilege of doing something great, something worthwhile for His Kingdom.

Timothy Dalrymple, President and CEO of Christianity Today, in the May/June edition wrote about a similar story. “There’s a moment in the first book of The Lord of the Rings trilogy when Frodo laments that a great evil has erupted in his generation. ‘I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ he says. Gandalf responds with compassion and wisdom in equal measure: ‘So do I, and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.’”

We are not here in this place at this time by accident. God does not make mistakes. We have been chosen for such a time as this. We have been made royal priests for such a time as this. It is up to us how we use this time. Someone else (I wish I could remember who) said his greatest fear was not the coronavirus, but instead that he would fail to rise to the occasion. This is my greatest fear.

The Mission has risen to the occasion. You have risen to the occasion, over and over again. Yes, these are frustrating and discouraging times; we are tired of fighting, of not being able to hug, of not being able to sit across the table from those we love, of wearing face masks and using so much disinfectant and sanitizer. But don’t give in to the enemy now. God is still in charge. Dalrymple asks, “Will we rise to the challenge history has thrust upon us?”

God tells us we have this identity in Christ, that we have been chosen, for a reason, so that we may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

One of the fruits of the Spirit is perseverance. I hope to encourage you with these words to continue to persevere: to fight, to pray, to thank God, and to declare His praises.

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – What A Friend We Have In Jesus

Apr29

When one of my granddaughters was younger (she is nine years old now), she was afraid to go to sleep when she spent the night at our house. She wanted to be there, but she was afraid. At bedtime, we would walk around the room with her and make sure that closet doors and drawers were closed, that anything that might make a funny shadow or light during the night was covered, and I would sprinkle magic fairy dust all around (my own secret recipe stored in an old spice jar). Then we would read, sing, and pray together. We would hold her if necessary, and finally she would go to sleep. I would tell her to not be afraid, but it was useless. And of course, it was. I have things that I am afraid of. Try telling me not to be afraid of dogs, for example. Now, I know better; I know that dog isn’t going to hurt me, but that doesn’t stop me from experiencing the feeling of fear.

Many of the devotions, songs, and scriptures that I have been posting each day have to do with fear. Jesus says, “do not fear” and “do not be afraid” very often in the Bible. Honestly, I have read into these scriptures a commandment. I thought “Let not your heart be troubled” was a mandate to believers. But after reading an article entitled “Fear Is Not Sin” by Edward Welch*, I thought it would be helpful to share some of his thoughts with you.

First, even though the statement “Do not fear” sounds like a command, it may not be a command. When you tell someone not to be afraid, are you commanding them? Probably not. You are probably trying offer comfort or security with your words. You are probably inferring that you are with them and will look out for them, just like I was doing with my granddaughter, and just like Jesus was doing when he said “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:22). Jesus sees us as vulnerable sheep needing his care. His words are gentle and affectionate. Our fears arouse his compassion—not his rebuke. “He has pity on the weak and the needy…. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust” (Ps 72:13; 103:14).

Second, Jesus expects us to be afraid sometimes. The Psalms contain many expressions of fear. Even the Apostle Paul said, “For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within” (2 Cor 7:5). Welch says, “Fear and anxiety express our weakness amid the threats of daily life. We are merely human. We are not the Creator. Weak people are also sinners, but weakness is not sin. Weakness means that we need help from God and other people. “

Last, when we are anxious or afraid, this is the time to call out to God. And when we go to him in prayer seeing comfort, also seek courage to act. Courage is not the absence of fear, it is acting despite our fears. As Welch says, “Courageous faith cries out, ‘Lord, save me.’” Yet courage, like the Psalms themselves, doesn’t stop there. It leads us into a mature and tested understanding of the Lord. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (Ps 56:3–4)

The bottom line is that fear itself is not sin. The reason for our fear might be sinful, like the fear of being caught doing something we should not be doing, or fear relating to excessive or idolatrous desires. And our response to fear could be sin, such as failing to talk to God about it, failing to obey God, or falling into temptation. The Bible is full of stories of people who acted wrongly out of fear. But it is also full of stories of godly men and women who took comfort in God and were obedient.

So, don’t be afraid of being afraid. Just take your fears to God and do what He says. Let’s grow together.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

In Christ,

Judy

*Excerpts from Journal of Biblical Counseling, JBC 34:1 (2020): 7–19, published by Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (ccef.org).

Chaplain’s Corner – Fervent Prayer

Apr22

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).

The parable referenced is the Parable of the Persistent Widow. In this parable, a widow persistently asked a local judge for justice. She had to keep asking because he was not paying any attention to her, and finally he relented just to get her off his back. Jesus then by comparison said that he would bring about justice for his chosen ones, and quickly at that.  “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?” (Luke 18:7). So, Jesus said the lesson in this parable is to always pray and not give up, just like the persistent widow.

We all have so much to pray about. Prayer for our own circumstances, our families, the Mission, our churches, our leaders, our country, those on the front lines, the lost, to get back to “normal.” The list is endless. It’s overwhelming. And praying is hard work.

I used to teach my middle school Sunday School class a simple way to pray using the acrostic “ACTS.”

A – Adoration: I have found out that when I start my prayer with acknowledging the attributes of God, everything else falls into place. A good example of this is in the Lord’s prayer when we say, “Hallowed be thy name.”

C – Confession: Just as with adoration where we remember who God is; with confession, we agree with him about who we are and where we have fallen short. “When we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

T – Thanksgiving: Counting our blessings helps to put our needs and wants into perspective. The Psalms are full of scriptures of praise and thanksgiving. Psalm 100

S – Supplication: this is where we ask God for what we want for ourselves and others, and I will spend a little more time on this section.

Another term for supplication could be intercession, and this part of our prayer would be intercessory prayer. To be sure, God hears our prayers no matter how articulate. Sometimes the Holy Spirit prays for us, even when we can’t utter a coherent word. You have heard that prayer changes things. What this means is that prayer changes us, and that takes some work.

Here are some keys for effective intercessory prayer (with help from C.H. Spurgeon’s My Utmost for His Highest Devotional).

  1. We must believe that God is who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do. Otherwise, all we are doing is talking to ourselves, being sympathetic, or maybe even gossiping when we pray.
  2. We must bring the person or situation before God and seek to be changed by his attitude toward that person or situation. Paul said in Colossians 1:24 “I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.” (NLT). Spurgeon says, “Our work is to be in such close contact with God that we may have His mind about everything, but we shirk that responsibility by substituting doing for interceding.” I know I have been guilty of this.
  3. And finally, we must be persistent. Spurgeon says, “What we must avoid in intercession is praying for someone to be simply “patched up.” We must pray that person completely through into contact with the very life of God. Think of the number of people God has brought across our path, only to see us drop them! When we pray on the basis of redemption, God creates something He can create in no other way than through intercessory prayer.”

I challenge us all to become fervent, persistent, prayer warriors. The world is in crisis. But we know that nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power…And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:10,18).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Wisdom of God

Apr15

Wisdom as described in the Old Testament is fairly straightforward. It includes the ability to govern well by accurate interpretation and enforcement of the law, to understand visions and dreams, to demonstrate morality and good judgment in making decisions.

Saul of Tarsus was probably considered to be wise as well as passionate. He was well-educated, highly regarded, and on the fast track to Jewish leadership. However, after his conversion to Christianity, he gained true wisdom. He, as Paul the Apostle, describes true wisdom in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, and I am helpless to improve upon his writing (this is from the New Living Translation). I encourage you to take your time to read this passage, think about what you are reading. Read it out lout if possible.

The Wisdom of God

18 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. 19 As the Scriptures say,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
    and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”

20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

These are powerful words. In the aftermath of Easter, as we live in the light of the Resurrection, as believers unified with Christ Jesus, regardless of our past, regardless of our mistakes, know that God chose us. What an opportunity we have before us to boldly preach Christ crucified, to demonstrate the love of Jesus to the least of these.

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – The Time Has Come

Apr8

“My times are in your hands…. “(Psalm 31:15)

These certainly are unusual times, and we are learning how to live a new normal. But what if everything we have ever learned or experienced in life has been leading us to this time in our lives. Without realizing it, we have been preparing for just this moment so we can demonstrate our faith, our willingness to serve, our mandate to love God and others in the most difficult and unusual of circumstances.

Bringing us to the crucifixion which happened on Friday of Holy Week which we are now celebrating, we can reflect on the fact that Jesus had all along been preparing for just this time because he knew even at age twelve that he was about his Father’s business. Jesus had a purpose for how he spent his thirty-three years on earth.

  • Early in his ministry, he told his mother: “Woman, why do you involve me?” He went on to say, “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4).
  • Later in his ministry he told his brothers, “You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.”  (John 7:8).
  • However, Jesus did go to the festival privately, and then went to the temple to teach. Although the authorities were seeking to arrest him, no one laid a hand on him. He was spared, he said, because “his hour had not yet come” (John 7:30).
  • Immediately following the festival, Jesus again taught in the temple, and no one arrested him despite the threats. John explains that “his hour had not yet come” (John 8:20).

It was not until the week before His crucifixion that he acknowledged that his time had finally come.

  • Then when Jesus had made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem… “there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival.  They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus.’  Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified’” (John 12:20-23).
  • And when Jesus was praying with his disciples at Gethsemane during His last week before the crucifixion, “After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you” (John 17:1).

Some Bible scholars say that the Gentiles seeking Jesus in John 12:21 were the triggering event for Jesus to declare that his time had now come, that this request by the Gentiles triggered the plan that God had designed all along to reconcile his people back to himself—Jesus’ arrest, trials, humiliation, condemnation, beatings, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension. 

This is a solemn reminder that God has a plan, and it will come to pass in his own timing. There will be a triggering event and then all the elements of Christ’s Second Coming will fall into place as described in the Bible. There is some disagreement about all the events and the exact timing, but there is no disagreement among believers that the Second Coming will happen. That is what we long for with hope. 

The Jewish people knew that the Messiah would come; they had the writings of the Prophets to tell them many of the signs they could expect to see to confirm His first coming. But they were still taken by surprise when He did.

We should not be surprised when trials and tribulations come. Jesus told us in John 16:33“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We celebrate Christmas and Jesus’ first coming, and we celebrate Easter and His resurrection. We know the Jesus will come again. In John 14:3, Jesus states, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  We know what many of the signs will be. We just don’t know when. However, we should not be surprised when the time comes. We have been informed. Be ready.

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Preparing for Holy Week

Apr1

“If I do not wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8).

We are in the middle of a crisis, and my daily communications to fellow staff have been directed toward prayers and encouragement. We are encouraged by the fact that this crisis will end at some point and we will return to some sort of normal (at least that’s what we are counting on). However, we are also approaching the remembrance of another momentous occasion, one which seemed to be a crisis at the time, but which changed us forever for the good. In just eleven days we will celebrate Easter. Whether or not we can attend a worship service, Easter will be Easter and we are forever blessed to be able to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So, my devotion today is directing us to think on the days leading up to that holy event.

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. It starts with Jesus entering Jerusalem to the adulation of the crowds. It ends with him in the grave following his humiliation and crucifixion. Immediately before being arrested, he gathers his disciples together for their last supper. He surprises them by washing their feet.  It is, in fact, shocking that he would do this. As their teacher, the culture told them as the disciples that they did not have to wash his feet. But here is the teacher washing the feet of his disciples!

 As a long-time believer, I have heard this story about Jesus countless times, but recently during an in-depth study of the book of John, a different perspective was presented to me and it took me aback, as conviction often does.

As Jesus begins the process of preparing himself and the water, Peter exclaims that Jesus will never wash his feet. It’s not that Peter didn’t want Jesus to touch him; he was acknowledging that Jesus was too good to wash his feet. It comes across as a humble statement on Peter’s part, but is it really? How often do we reject the simple acts of kindness and assistance offered by others around us? Is it really because we are humble and truly believe we don’t deserve it? Or is it because we are too prideful and think we don’t need it? Maybe we don’t want to be beholden to anyone or we don’t want to feel that we will be obligated to repay the favor.

What do you think Peter’s motivation was for not being willing to accept Jesus washing his feet? How would I have responded to Jesus? Probably the same way. We who serve often take pride in not needing to be served. (Can you sense my conviction?)

Jesus answered him in John 13:8, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with me.” David Guzik writes that “This foot washing was a powerful lesson in humility, but it was more than that. It also shows that Jesus has no fellowship, no deep connection with those who have not been cleansed by Him … We should be grateful that Jesus did not say, ‘If you do not have great holiness, you have no part with me.’ We are happy he did not say, ‘if you are not a Bible expert, you have no part with me.’ Having a part with Jesus begins simply with receiving something from Him, not achieving something ourself.”

A clue to Peter’s pride can be found when Peter replies, then don’t just wash my feet, wash me all over. Now he’s telling Jesus what to do and how to do it! Who does he think he is? This was a loving act by Jesus. Are we too proud to accept his loving acts of service? We can see how Peter matures over time by his statement in 1 Peter 5:5 which shows Peter’s change of heart “Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility.”

Food for thought: According to Guzik: “Sometimes we show a servant’s heart by accepting the service of others for us. If we only serve, and refuse to be served, it can be a sign of deeply rooted and well-hidden pride. “According to Temple: “Man’s humility does not begin with the giving of service; it begins with the readiness to receive it. For there can be much pride and condescension in our giving of service.” *

What did Jesus tell us to do? (Clue: It was not to wash his feet.)

  • John 13:12-14 “you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Jesus tells us to show the same humble, sacrificial love to one another. Charles Spurgeon writes: “If there be any deed of kindness or love that we can do for the very meanest and most obscure of God’s people, we ought to be willing to do it—to be servants to God’s servants.” *
  • John 13:34-35: “I’m giving you a new commandment: ‘Love each other in the same way that I have loved you.’ Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other.”

We are also called to receive the blessing of salvation from Jesus and service from others. We are called to love one another, serve one another, encourage one another, give to one another. We are called to do these things cheerfully and generously and sacrificially. Let us seek to fellowship with each other in mutual love, service, and encouragement. Let’s also seek to do these things without a speck of pride as our motivation, with only gratitude and praise to our Holy Father who is the source of all the resources we have at our disposal. In this way, we can prepare our hearts to worship our Lord and Savior during this upcoming Holiest of Weeks.

In Christ,

Judy

*David Guzik Text Commentary from Blue Letter Bible