Honor the Emperor?

 

1 Peter 2:13-17

This passage is a great reminder, perhaps even a convicting reminder.  While at the same time it is somehow so comforting. A reminder that as sojourners and exiles in this world, where we may never fit in, we still are loved, cared for and guided by the ultimate King, Jesus.  And as such we need not fall into worry (or worse) if our worldly side is not in power.

Because Jesus submitted to death even death on a cross for each of us, because he made the ultimate submission for us, we can trust in our risen King.  And with that trust, with that freedom, we can respect and honor all people including those in office; those in power. We can begin to see beyond political party and submit to worldly governments knowing that it will be so much better farther on.  

We can begin to see that all are created in the image of our loving God and knowing the love God has for us maybe just maybe that will humble our hearts, maybe just maybe we might begin to do good, to be generous, to love others as Christ loves us.  

May we all as believers move forward in gentle and kinds ways, and may we spread good in a hungry, thirsty and needy world. May our actions and conduct proclaim the name of King Jesus to the world.

Grace and Peace!

Living Stones

After Advent and Christmas, our church is moving back into the series on 1 Peter.  This weeks passage is 1 Peter 2:4-12.  This passage struck me as encouraging, and hopeful for those that might feel a little out of place in this crazy world.  This passage provided a humble sense of assurance.  

 

This big idea from this passage, the takeaway for me is:

 

Because of the complete and finished work of Christ, we; diamonds in the rough become acceptable – more than that – we become the precious stones of God.  We the broken, the ragamuffins, the exiles of this world have been chosen for this royal priesthood, we have been called out of the darkness and into the marvelous light that is Jesus.  And as such, we rough stones are being polished and shaped, by the astounding love, the staggering mercy and the amazing grace of God through Christ all by the power of the Holy Spirit! We are being prepared for an eternity of glorifying God and enjoying him forever.  And as exiles in this world and no matter what we encounter in this world (riots, politics, division, pandemics, injustice) we will experience this love and mercy and grace; we will experience the very presence of God every step of the way, and we will experience it in such a way that our hearts overflow with that marvelous light, with this good news and it will overflow into a world desperate for just a little good news.

 

Grace and Peace!

Reflection

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

With 2020 about to hit the rear view mirror, I must admit this has been a year of reflection and introspection for me.  At times such guilt and shame only to find, see and experience the overwhelming grace and presence of Jesus.  During this last month I have really been drawn to this famous passage in Isaiah and specifically the “For to us a child is born.”

The incarnation is such a...well I don’t really have the words,  but certainly a miracle. B.B. Warfield once said, “The Glory of the incarnation is that it presents to our adoring gaze, a true God-man; one on whose almighty arms we can rest and to whose human sympathy we can appeal.”

Oh, how I love that quote (as you can probably tell by the number of times I’ve used it) and somehow there was even a little more for me this year. I’ve come to realize this incarnation, God coming down from heaven, coming as a God-man to seek and save became even more remarkable. It seems to me the incarnation is the hinge pin for so much...to me it proves the steadfast love of God, it proves that our God pursues us no matter our circumstances, it proves just how amazing grace really is, and for me it is the very basis for our hope and love and joy.

So as we head into 2021, I pray we do it filled with hope and love and joy, I pray we all become a little kinder to one another, I pray we might lend a hand to others and finally I pray we come to know and trust and experience Christ in many new and exciting ways...

Grace and Peace!

Laugh, I Nearly Died

I’m so sick and tired

Trying to turn the tide, yeah

So I’ll say my goodbye

Laugh, laugh, I nearly died

Rolling Stones

Genesis 18:9-15

Big Idea:

 

It is in those times that we are spent, broken, at the end of our rope, when life seems impossible; it is in those times that we might scoff (laugh) in disbelief, and it is in those times that the grace of God becomes crystal clear. And that is also exactly where we come to see that in our weakness, He is strong. It is in our weakness that we come to know the love and mercies of God; and to trust in God’s promises. So, no matter where we find ourselves let’s all trust and believe God when he says; “I will surely return to you (V10).”  To know that we are never abandoned, we are never alone, we are loved and cared for no matter the circumstance, no matter the failure, no matter our weakness. Jesus reminds us in Luke 18:27; "What is impossible with man is possible with God."  Oh, what a promise and what an assurance in these crazy times.  May we all move forward in 2021 with the expectant hope of Christ in our hearts.