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Getting our act together

11/30/2015

Scripture: 2 Kings 22:11-13

Observation: King Josiah discovers the book of the law (deuteronomy) in the temple while attempting to rebuild the covenant between God and God's people. The previous corruption of this covenant is something Josiah wanted to avoid as King. Discovering that the people of God have put their trust and faith in things and gods other than YHWH is an important shift in the life of God's people...and their king.

Application: Even though king Josiah (1 of 3 kings out of 40 who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord) renewed the covenant, the people will still fall short in this covenant agreement. The start of Advent is a perfect time to realize that God will send us a savior whose sacrifice will give us a new covenant through his blood shed for you and for all people. In this way we announce a renewal of the covenant through the anticipation of Jesus coming as the Christ child, born in a manger. "We have not been doing everything it says we must do."

Getting our act together is more about preparing our hearts to receive Christ than to put on our most holy of holiness act. A season of preparation in the middle of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday.....sounds like preparations are already taking place. Josiah preached a word, lifestyle, a regime change that focused on abiding with God. That is the thing we must do!

Prayer: (first stanza to Abide in me)
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

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Enough!

11/12/2015

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Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-10

Observation: Elijah is worn out! He is lonely. He is frustrated. He has had enough! He is tired of speaking to a rebellious people. Yet God takes him to the place where, again, Elijah receives rest (sabbath) and food for the journey (fruitfulness).

Application: The word enough can mean two different things (as it does here). First, enough is to be done, "I have had enough." Second, enough is to be sufficient, "and the food gave him enough strength for the journey ahead."

If you have even dipped your toe in the waters of ministry you have experienced both.

When have you experienced the reality of enough? Both when you have been done and when God provided you sufficiency/contentment?

Prayer:

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Umbrellas

11/11/2015

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Scripture: 1 Kings 18:41-46

Observation: The drought is over and it has begun to rain. the rain promised by God when God spoke to God's prophet.

Application: There is a story about a pastor who lived in farm country. There was a drought for long time. The church and the community decided that they needed to gather and pray for rain. The day and the time was set for the prayer meeting, a mixture of hope and despair. That night, the farmers, the townspeople, the community all gathered into the tiny church.

The pastor moved into the pulpit and looked around the faces of her community; faces looking for something...anything. The pastor began to speak and what she spoke she spoke briefly.

She said: "I am grateful for everyone gathering during this time of struggle for our community. I am glad that you all know that this struggle is real. I am grateful that we have come to lay our trust to God to answer us in this time of prayer to pray for what it is that we need most; RAIN!"

Several people yelled 'AMEN!'

The pastor continued: "But I am concerned about one important detail I think we have forgetter. We all came to pray for rain but not one person here tonight brought an umbrella. What did you expect to happen?"

The pastor sat down and the people gathered began to pray.

Do we really trust that God will fulfill what God promises?

Prayer: Lord, help us to trust the promise you have given us, time and time again.

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Troublemakers

11/10/2015

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Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-19

Observation: Prophets are often regarded as trouble makers. Elijah is seen to cause trouble for Obadiah, a servant of the Lord, and for Israel. In both cases, trouble making is defined as telling people what they don't want to hear. Obadiah doesn't want to hear instructions to go and tell king Ahab that Elijah is here (because he fears Ahab will kill the messenger). Ahab doesn't want to hear accountability to the prophet (and God) about his unfaithfulness to the Lord by worshipping Baal.

Application: We need more troublemakers. We need more prophets. Not in the sense of simply telling people what they don't want to hear, scroll down your Facebook page and you are bound to find someone of your friends who can do this for you. I'm talking about telling the Good News of the Gospel that doesn't necessarily match with people's lifestyle choices. This was the case for Ahab.

Think about the most recent culture war, that has been manufactured by people's affection for christendom. Starbucks didn't put a snowflake on a coffee cup and now they are declaring war of Jesus?!? As Christians, witnesses of the Good News, this brought about lots of trouble makers. Like this:

When the Gospel gets in the way of our selfishness, it might cause trouble. And that is a good thing.

Today is Martin Luther's birthday. Another trouble maker that proclaimed the good news that caused all kinds of trouble....like reminding us that we don't earn salvation (or buy it) but it is a free gift.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the endless work of the prophets and trouble makers of old. Move your spirit upon us to announce good news of your kingdom that stirs up trouble for us to account for the work we have left to do.

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When the brook runs dry

11/9/2015

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Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-7

Observation: A famine comes to the land. The god Baal is supposed to be the god of the thunderstorms and weather. As Elijah predicts the famine because of lack of rain, we are intended to hear that the Lord is the God who is actually in command of the weather. This is also intended to be heard as punishment for King Ahab because of his idol worship of Baal. Yet the Lord provides for the prophet by bringing him to kedish brook and he is fed during the drought by ravens.

Application: God provides everything. One of my favorite stories in scripture, I have had several observations and applications over the years. Having benefited from God's provision during times when the well (or brook) runs dry is one application I can continue to thank God. However, more recently I have seen this story in the greater narrative. What if God is responsible for drying up the brook? God did stop the rain after all. The brook at kedish is intended to be a pitstop for the prophet not the destination. At times we can believe that God has brought us to the brook as the place where we are to stay. God intends that time of provision as food for the journey ahead. The brook and the ravens nurture Elijah so that he can go from there and resurrect the widows son and then go on to defeat 850 prophets of Baal.

At times, it is hard to see that in what God is doing in our life. We like the brook after all!

Where are you in your journey today, resting at the brook or realizing God dried up the brook for something bigger? Who are the agents that are feeding you from God?

Prayer: Lord, when the brook drys up, help us to see that you are in control and that you have called us to greater things than the pitstops your provide.

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Getting our act together

Enough!

Umbrellas

Troublemakers

When the brook runs dry

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