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God's Gardening Tip

5/27/2015

Psalm 1. Click here for the reading.

But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:2-3

This week we begin a new series of Scripture lessons in the Psalms. The Psalms are lyrics of songs that express faith, frustration, fear, and fortitude. They offer guidance and help as we follow God.

Today’s Gardening Tip from God in Psalm 1: Be rooted in God’s Word! A regular supply of God’s life-giving words brings strength and resiliency to our lives. Digging into God’s message for our lives brings direction and fruitfulness to the things that we do.

Open the Bible today. Find a verse for the day at www.biblegateway.com or other sources. Just a few minutes with God each day can bring renewed vitality and perspective. Listen for God’s whispers to reveal his character and his direction for your life. Find joy in God’s instructions for your life. Follow him with faith in his loving plan for you.

Marcia Marquardt

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Old and New

5/11/2015

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Scripture: Romans 5:12-21 Click here for the reading

Observation: Paul distinguishes between the reality of sin versus the reality of salvation. Sin is brought about by the person of Adam. Salvation is brought about by the person of Christ. The problem is that we are enslaved by the old Adam while trying to live the new life Christ gives us.

Application: Luther applied this aspect of sin and salvation by saying "Simul justus eta pecator." Meaning we are both simultaneously made right with God (don't translate Justus-justification as saint) and sinners.

We must admit that as baptized Christians we are in live with two men....the Old Adam (sin), and the New Christ (salvation).

Prayer: Lord guide me in the paths of your righteousness leaving behind the old adam. Help me fall in love with your son again and again.

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Falling short

5/7/2015

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Romans 3:21-31 Click here for the reading

Observation: We all fall short of the glory of God. Paul reminds us that none of us is qualified to boast about our activities as good or righteous because they did not include sacrificially dying on the cross. Paul reminds us that it is okay to fall short, it is part of recognizing our need for a savior.

Application: How often do we want to toot our own horn? Make sure everyone noticed the contributions, sacrifice, and hard work we put in?

In the age of providing the myth of self made men and women....you know, the good protestant work ethic of 'gotta work harder' or pick yourself up by your bootstraps etc....recognizing that all of us fall short of the glory of God is a good thing. Only freely and graciously are we made right with God, having our sins forgiven by one who did what we could not....save us.

Prayer: Lord, when I fall, raise me up in you.

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None!

5/6/2015

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Scripture: Romans 3:9-20 Click here for the reading

Observation: No one is righteous. No one is truly wise. No one is good. The beginning of wisdom is silence. (Job 28 & 42) Wisdom can only come from the Lord. Paul lays down the level playing field that no one is able to be right with God through the law. Paul will create this space to provide the need for Christ.

Application: There has been a recent rise to the information about the rise of the nones. A growing population of people who have no affiliation with a religion or religious identity. The rise of the nones, however, can be a witness to what Paul outlines as important here. No one is wise, righteous or good. No one is able to be made right with God, stand in God's presence through the law. There is a need for Jesus to come into the world.

If we are making a connection to the nones as a way of applying this theological effort of Paul then we are all nones. None of us is righteous. None of us is wise. None of us is good. We are the nones.

Prayer: Lord, none of us is worthy. But thank you for sending Jesus into the world because we cannot be righteous, wise, or good without you.

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The Law

5/5/2015

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Scripture: Romans 2:17-3:8 Click here for the reading

Observation: Paul is criticizing his own people, the Jewish Pharisees. Claimed to be God's chosen people they hold onto the law without having their heart right with God. Paul is showing the hypocrisy of the Law. The law was given to help us have a right relationship with God but now is used to show worth or worthiness before God. The hypocrisy of the law is that those Paul is claiming to follow the Law actually break it. Their hearts are not right with God based on the law. The law has actually done much to hurt others in the name of God.

Application: As much as we might like to think that we are NOT legalistic in our view points or our relationship with God.....we really are. We love to show other people are following the rules. We love to point out the flaws in other people, their breaking the law.

My father-in-law just told me that he was proud to be a rule follower. It helps give order to the world. His daughter is a confessed pharisee.

Reading this portion of Romans, I am reminded of all the comments I hear good christian people make when someone is accused or convicted of a crime, minor or major. I heard a woman yell at an unaccompanied minor coming into the country that 'Jesus wouldn't break the law.' Umm but he did, even as an unaccompanied minor into Egypt. We often forget that Paul and Silas were placed in prison.....a lot. God's kingdom is not complete because of the law.

The law no longer holds us into a strict relationship of rule following but has made complete in fulness of Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus we are free (Galatians 5:1)

Prayer: Lord, for all of us who are accidental or intentional pharisees.....forgive us.

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Matthew parties!

5/4/2015

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Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13 Click here for the reading

Observation: The saying goes "we have found the enemy and we are them." When asked by the religious leaders why their teacher (Jesus) eats with such scum (One of them recently became a follower and would be identified as such scum), the disciples never answer but Jesus interrupts: "“Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” The pharisees see themselves as the righteous, when truly they are in much need as these supposed scum (their word).

Application: We are wired to use us vs them language. that is the language of our sinfulness. It is interesting the words Jesus uses to help us understand that we are all sick and in need of God's healing and saving that comes through Jesus.

How often do we think of the church as s museum of saints....kinda a hall of fame of do-gooder Christians? How often do we cast others aside and think they are not worthy of Jesus presence?

What if we viewed our churches, Jesus' Church, as a hospital for sinners rather than a museum of saints?

We have found the scum and the unworthy, and we are them. Thank God Jesus wants to dine with us! Partying with sinners is Jesus' thing. We celebrate that every week when we receive the forgiveness of sins around the Lord's table.

Prayer: Lord, I am but a poor penitent sinner in need of your grace, mercy and forgiveness.....just like everyone else.

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God's Gardening Tip

Old and New

Falling short

None!

The Law

Matthew parties!

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