...For your good

Through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles. (Romans 11:11)

The story of the Jews and their walk with God takes place over thousands of years. When you consider their part in God’s plan and the many ways in which they contributed to his plan of salvation, the sheer scope is awe inspiring. All of those moments throughout history when God spoke to them or acted through them—Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Joseph, and Mary—lead toward the singular remarkable occurrence of God becoming man.

And right at this moment, at the pinnacle of the long journey toward salvation for all, the Jews seem to stumble. Many of them failed to recognize the Messiah, and some even pushed the Romans to execute him!

But whether or not their actions were in line with God’s wishes, here we see the firmness of his purpose, as well as his astounding wisdom. No matter how difficult we make it for him, he can use even our failures and blunders. In this case, God turned the error of the Jewish leaders on its head and used it as a tool to bring his salvation and love to everyone. If they had not handed Jesus over, there would be no cross—and no resurrection!

We might not always get it right either. Even when we think we are following God’s plan—as the Jewish leaders no doubt thought—we make mistakes. But the good news is that whether we meant to turn away from God or not, he has a way of using even our mistakes and failings for good. So when we slip up, we shouldn’t think that all is lost. God can redeem every situation, as well as every person!

What a comforting thought to take with us when we get caught up worrying about past missteps! And let it be a reminder to help us look at everyone as God does: not perfect, but still a part of his plan, still having the potential to do great things for him. His mercy should be both an encouragement and an example for us!

from wau.org

Being yourself not by yourself

People there were observing him carefully. (Luke 14:1)

If you’re a parent of a small child, you know that one of the biggest things about them is their eyes. They’re always watching you. They seem to take everything in—often a lot more than you realize. They learn from what you do just as much from what you say, if not more so. Every minute you spend with them is an educational opportunity, with you being the teacher! 

Jesus had a teaching opportunity in today’s reading. He was in the house of a Pharisee, where he was being heavily scrutinized. He didn’t worry about his host’s expectations, however. He just did what he knew he should do: he healed a sick man. But then, realizing he had a “captive audience,” he decided to use that healing to bring home a lesson. The Sabbath, he said, was made for healing and salvation, not just for observing rules and traditions. 

As believers, we all have opportunities to witness to our faith. Like Jesus, we are on display. Of course, that is true anytime we interact with other people. But it’s especially true if they know we are Christians. Whether we realize it or not, they will pick up some kind of message from us. And whether they realize it or not, they will associate Christianity—and maybe even God—with what they see in us. So we really are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20)!

It can feel like a lot of responsibility, this call to be Christ to the world. But all we can really be is ourselves, just as Jesus was in the Pharisee’s home. And that’s a good thing! For no one else has your sense of humor. No one else has your way of relating to people. So if you stay close to Jesus and just try to be the best version of yourself, you’ll make an impact. God will use you to reach people in ways that no one else can. You just need to lean back into the Lord’s arms, and you’ll find yourself doing a lot more than you think. For Christ is in you, and he wants to touch everyone with his love.

“Lord, may what I do and say reflect the faith I profess. Strengthen me to be the salt and light that people are looking for.”

form wau.org

Labour groans

All creation is groaning in labor pains even until now. (Romans 8:22)

We all do it—groaning. Something goes wrong, and we sigh dejectedly. We hear bad news, and we moan in disappointment. Disappointment in itself is a natural thing, but when you feel moved to groaning, what does it tell you about the situation? And more important, what will your groaning move you to do? 

When you come right down to it, groaning is a sign that deep down, we recognize that all is not as it should be. We all have an inner, hidden sense of the glory God wants us to experience. And we all know that we fall short of that glory. We understand too that we are still works in progress, that we don’t yet experience the fullness of the life we were made for. And so we groan longingly, like a woman in labor. She knows that her baby is coming, but isn’t here yet. She knows that the process is painful, but she also trusts that the result will be glorious. 

Believe it or not, groaning is actually a sign of hope! We groan because we know and believe that we are meant for more. We expect that wonderful glory that we do not yet see. If we had no more hope, we wouldn’t care anymore. We’d just resign ourselves to the status quo. But deep down, we know that God hasn’t given up! He’s still moving his creation forward to the glory he has intended for us.

So when you catch yourself groaning, recognize that it’s a good thing! Your inner self is recognizing that you are not yet clothed in glory—but you hope to be. There is more of the kingdom yet to be built, and you are longing to see it come to fruition. Use that groan as a springboard for intercession and action. 

So rejoice! God isn’t finished yet. He’s still at work. Remember, childbirth is a process that, once begun, doesn’t stop until a new life comes into the world. You are undergoing a similar process—the birth of a new life in the glory of heaven. That’s worth a few groans, isn’t it?

“Lord Jesus, I so want to see the glory you have in store for me! Help me see the ways you are moving us all closer to that goal.

 

from wau.org

Sonship

You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, ”Abba, Father!” (Romans 8:15)

Hang on a second. The opposites of slavery and fear are freedom and courage; so shouldn’t Paul be saying we receive those spirits instead of a “spirit of adoption”? He starts off today’s reading talking about bondage to sin and goes on to warn against letting that take a hold of us and drag us into fear. What does adoption have to do with any of that?

Everything! Our freedom from slavery doesn’t come from our hard work. The chains of sin are too strong for us to break on our own. Likewise, our courage doesn’t come from an excess of grit and determination, as if we could banish fear simply by wishing it away. Both of these blessings come from our identity in the Lord. We know that we belong to him, and that knowledge sets us free and encourages us. So it’s totally appropriate to contrast adoption with slavery and fear.

You have probably seen a child stumble or be startled by an intimidating new encounter with a stranger or a barking dog. Instinctively, that child will call out for his or her parents. This is the kind of instinct that the Holy Spirit places in our hearts. Paul talks about how the Spirit within us is the One who remembers that our Father will listen to us. So if you are attentive to the Spirit, you’ll remember to call out to God for help whenever you feel threatened, weary, or scared.

With a Father who is the Creator of the universe, a brother who is the Savior of all people, and a spiritual family that is spread throughout the world, you are in a good place to face up to fear! Of course, knowing these things doesn’t make fear instantly disappear. But the Holy Spirit is in you, reminding you of your status as God’s son or daughter. Remember to tune in to the witness of the Spirit, so that every day you can become more deeply aware of your adoption—and more free and courageous as a result.

“Holy Spirit, thank you for calling me a child of God! Remind me today to live with the confidence and freedom of one adopted into his family.”

from wau.org

Keeping Pace

He came in search of fruit.(Luke 13:6)

The flashing lights in your rearview mirror catch your eye. Then your heart sinks. A police car is behind you, signaling for you to pull over to the side of the road. As you put down your window, you are face-to-face with an officer who demands your identification and informs you that your infraction is serious. While he is checking your papers, you fear the worst. Then, with a mixture of authority and kindness, you hear him say the sweetest words: “I’m just going to give you a warning.” You drive off elated, having promised the officer that you will change your ways and adhere to the speed limit. 

In a sense, Jesus is issuing a warning to his followers as he explains about the recent tragic deaths of fellow Jews. Mind you, he isn’t saying that they died because of their lack of faith. Rather, he is giving a solemn reminder of everyone’s vulnerability to death. None of us know when our lives will end. We all run the risk of being snatched away unexpectedly while we are busy pursuing our plans. And so Jesus is asking us to be sure that we are ready to greet him, whenever our time comes.

So while we still have the gift of life, let’s make it a point to lift our eyes from a task-driven life to a life centered on Jesus and his calling. Why delay? 

Jesus isn’t looking primarily for our remorse; he’s looking for our love. For he knows that only love will produce long-lasting changes: his love for us and our love for him in return. He knows that the more time we spend soaking in his love, the more love we will have for one another, the more we will find comfort in his teachings, and the more we will find ourselves bearing fruit for him and his Church. So don’t be so speedy! Keep pace with the Lord. Take his Holy Spirit as your companion and guide, and he will make you more and more fruitful.

“Jesus, direct my life in the way of love. Orient me in love. Fill me with your Spirit, who is love! Lord, I want to bear fruit for you!”

from wau.org

God Focused

Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. (Romans 4:3)

A new word was added to the Oxford English Dictionary a couple of years ago: selfie. It’s a digital picture you take of yourself that often includes a background of where you are or the people who are with you. While taking a selfie can be a fun way to capture a special moment, the word conveys the sense of focusing on yourself and making yourself the center of attention. And what often happens when we look at a picture of ourselves? We focus on the flaws. “Do I really look like that?” “Wow! My teeth are more crooked than I thought!”

 

Contrast this with God’s calling for Abraham. He had called this wealthy Chaldean to pick up everything and move, and Abraham obeyed. Now, many years later, God tells him to look at the nighttime sky. He promises to make Abraham’s offspring as numerous as the stars in the heavens. And Abraham focuses on God and believes him. He trusts that God is who he says he is and that he will do what he says he will do. He looks away from himself and looks at the Lord instead. As Paul says later on in this chapter, Abraham “did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body as [already] dead (for he was almost a hundred years old)” (Romans 4:19). He didn’t focus on his flaws or shortcomings, but only on God’s promise. And for this, God considered him righteous. 

God wants us to focus on him—not because he is self-absorbed, but because he knows how much it will help us. He wants us to know what it’s like to be loved completely and unconditionally—warts and all! That way, we won’t focus on our weaknesses and flaws and feel helpless. Rather, we’ll focus on his mercy and acceptance, drawing from his love the strength and confidence we need for our daily lives.

So be like Abraham today, and believe in God. Focus on him, not yourself, and see where he leads you. 

“Father, you created the stars in the heavens, and you call each one by name. I believe that you hold all of creation in the palms of your hands. I believe that you have called me by name and that you are faithful to every promise you have made.

 

from wau.org

Crossing boundaries

How much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? (Luke 11:13)

Were you ever taught the saying “Don’t wear out your welcome”? One way or another, we all learn boundaries in relationships—how to act with tact and to avoid making presumptions about others. Lessons like these teach us to be considerate and help us build lasting relationships.

So Jesus’ story in today’s Gospel reading can make us cringe a bit. This guy wakes up a friend to get some food for an unexpected guest, and he won’t stop knocking until he gets it. What is his friend going to think of him the next time they see each other? Even more to the point, what should I take away from this story? Does Jesus want me to be pushy and aggressive as well?

But don’t stop reading there! Jesus is not telling us how to treat our friends. He is telling us how to treat his Father in heaven. Children don’t learn the same kinds of boundaries with their parents as they do with their friends and acquaintances. That’s because parents love to provide good things for their children. It’s also much harder to impose on a parent than on a friend. So God won’t be offended by your persistence, even if it seems like nagging to you!

Do you believe that God loves you this much? That he wants you to go to him the way a child goes to his father for help? If you’re finding it hard to grasp this truth, take note of what Jesus says. The Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask not just because the Spirit is the greatest gift he can give us, but also because it’s the Spirit who can help us experience the Father’s love more and more deeply.

So push yourself to cross boundaries with God today. Pester him, hound him, open up your heart to him. Watch for those internal checks that tell you, “Don’t go too far with God; you may make him angry.” Whenever thoughts like these surface, tell yourself, “No, this is my Father I’m dealing with. I know he’ll take good care of me.”

“Father, help me to trust more fully in the love that you have for me.”

from wau.org

Make over

I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, rich in clemency, loathe to punish. (Jonah 4:2)

Have you ever wished you could have an extreme makeover?

Extreme-makeover television shows are very popular these days, probably because people enjoy seeing how a plain-looking person or a run-down old house can be transformed into a stunning display of poise and beauty. These shows always end with the “big reveal” of the newly transformed person or home, to the breathless adulation of the people witnessing it. Who wouldn’t be impressed? Something average has been turned into something outstanding!

Perhaps this is why the story of Jonah is so popular. The city of Nineveh was one of the largest and most powerful cities of its time. As capital of the Assyrian empire, it was also known as one of the meanest cities. Gobbling up land and overthrowing kingdoms throughout the Fertile Crescent, the Ninevites were ruthless in the way they waged war and tortured their captives. 

So when God first sent Jonah to tell the people of Nineveh to repent, Jonah balked. Converting all those darkened violent hearts? Impossible. All he could see was their brutality. But God saw something more. He saw their potential.

As the story unfolds, we see that Jonah was wrong; Nineveh underwent an extreme makeover of biblical proportions! But even that wasn’t enough for God. He went out of his way to soften Jonah’s hardened heart and show him just how deep his mercy runs.

God believed in the people of Nineveh and Jonah even before they believed in themselves. In the same way, God believes in our potential, even when we don’t understand it or we don’t believe it ourselves. He knows that he can do great things with us. He never loses faith in what we can become or what we can do.

Today, remember that God has an extreme makeover ready for you. No matter how weak or flawed you may think you are, he sees something beautiful and valuable: a person created in his own image and likeness. He can work with that and turn you into something outstanding.

“Lord, thank you for seeing such potential in me. Help me to see myself—and the people around me—through your eyes.”

from wau.org

"Childlike" maturity

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4)

Have you ever seen a child jump fearlessly into a pool toward the outstretched arms of her father or mother? Blissfully trusting in her parent’s protection, she knows no fear! What a wonderful image this can be for us as children of God—joyful, faithfully delighting in the protection of One so much stronger than us. 

When Jesus called us to become like little children, he was inviting us to regain our childhood innocence. When we are young, we are all ready to believe in a good God who watches over us and sends angels to guide our way. But as we grow older, these comforting images can lose their power. Life can wear us down and make us cynical. We may begin to doubt God’s desire to remain close to us. We may begin to question the reality of his angelic guardians. Faced with the inevitable pressures of life, we may begin to believe—or resign ourselves to the belief—that we are alone in the universe, reluctant masters of our fate with no one to guide us.

Jesus wants to free us from any sense of isolation or self-sufficiency that is holding us back. He wants to awaken in us that original joy and innocence we experienced when we first knew of his personal abiding love. True maturity as a Christian is not a matter of increased independence from God but a deeper dependence on him! After all, it is he who constantly provides for our health, our relationships, our finances, our very life and breath!

Today, ask the Holy Spirit to do a special work in you. Ask him to help you view all the events of your day with the eyes of a child who knows the Father’s intimate love. If this is difficult, ask him for healing so that you can open your heart to him. Your heavenly Father wants you to come to him with every concern, no matter how small, and trust that his angels are watching over you. Let him reassure you with his love and support.

from wau.org