Cup and Bread

The Pentecostalism of my early years focused on the experience of God, the immediate Presence of the Holy Spirit. We sang together with great enthusiasm, clapped our hands with joy, and listened to messages delivered with loud shouts of emotion! The services often closed with ‘altar calls’ when we came together at the front of the church to pray. Tears and laughter, hugs and shared prayers, were common, along with the expectation of spiritual renewal. I do not miss the excesses of that season of life but I surely treasure the closeness with God and others that were fostered in us.

Our churches were deeply suspicious of what I heard labeled as ‘dead ritual.’  So, we did not profess our beliefs with creeds, nor did we observe the seasons of Advent or Lent. We did not even recognize our place as a part of the larger Body of Christ in the world. We did celebrate baptism of new believers with great joy, much as one would mark the arrival of new baby in the family! Communion was also celebrated but without much emphasis, a few moments added to the service, on the first Sunday of the month.

As my Christian experience matured and I worshipped at times outside of my own traditions, I began to discover the wonder of worship including ancient rituals! As I spoke the Apostle’s Creed with other voices raised around me, I realized the wonder of the faith that stretched back 2,000 years, anchored in the Word. And I began to understand Holy Communion as something more than a sip of juice and eating a wafer! It became, and remains to this day, the holiest moment of worship each week.

Each Sunday, our congregation closes our time together with Holy Communion. The bit of bread held in my hand speaks to me of the body of Christ Jesus, the cup filled with the fruit of the vine renews my hope in the covenant He made in the giving of His life, the shedding of His blood at the Cross. Yes, I truly love the moment when we share the Lord’s Supper in our time of gathered worship. Do you?

I hear the words written in one of Paul’s earliest letters and realize that I am worshipping alongside of millions of faithful Christians, past and present. He says to us, by the inspiration of the Spirit,
"For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself." (1 Corinthians 11:23-29, NIV)

In the act of Communion there is a mystery of faith. I hold the Presence of Jesus close and in a simple human act of eating and drinking, declare the sustenance of my faith is found in my intimate connection to Jesus. He becomes my spiritual food and drink!

The letter to the Hebrews underscores the wonder of the Cross on which our hope rests. After explaining the reason for the Temple sacrifices for the temporary forgiveness of sin, we read these profound words - "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." (Hebrews 9:14-15, NIV)  

This is my remembrance at the moment of Communion. I am made new, a holy man, not because I am good or great, but because my Savior offered Himself as the Final Sacrifice. Yes, it is ritual, but it is holy, meaningful, and part of our worship at the direction of Jesus Himself!

In Luke we read,
"When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:14-21, NIV)

The Passover meal was a remembrance of the night in Egypt when the act of faith, the application of the blood of an unblemished lamb to the doorposts of the home, spared that household during the passing of the death angel of God’s judgment. Jesus tells us that He is our Passover Lamb, that we no longer live in fear of judgment and death because of Him. That is a truth worthy of our celebration, which demands our truest worship as we receive the Cup and Bread.

Next time you worship at the Lord’s Table, I hope you will not do so thoughtlessly, or ‘just because.’ Instead, enter the mystery of faith fully, thanking the Lord Jesus for offering His body to be broken that you might be healed and restored to the image of God in which we were originally created. Reverently thank Him for giving His life, carrying the weight of your sin, and writing a holy promise of God’s love in blood!

Jesus says – “Do this in remembrance of me.” 

Amen

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Video at https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55

"His hand froze to the sword"

There is a recurring fantasy that captures me - I want to be Superman! No, it’s not about flying around in a cape and a form-fitting suit. (Yes, that’s an image to forget!) What I dream about is being able to set things right, to work fast, to be unstoppable, and to kick evil in the face! Now you know a bit more about the kind of stuff that hides behind my eyes, but I’m sure you have your dreams too.

Knowing that the Superman thing is silly I’ll choose another hero for my inspiration today. His name is Eleazar, son of Dodai, and his story is briefly in the Bible. Never heard of him? Come meet him in a couple of lines in the Bible that are truly memorable.

In the book of 2 Samuel, there is a review of the ‘mighty men’ that stood with David, Israel’s warrior king. One of the men of renown is the previously mentioned Eleazar. His big moment in life is included in the list. "Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated, but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines ‘till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword." (2 Samuel 23:9-10, NIV) The memory of that hero was captured in four words - “froze to the sword!”

In a battle with Israel’s perpetual enemy, the Philistines, most of the warriors of Israel retreated but Eleazar stood his ground, unwilling to give an inch, swinging his sword in deadly arcs that continued, over and over. As the din of battle subsided when the Philistines finally broke and ran, the others crept back to see their friend standing there exhausted and bloody.

Most remarkably, he was unable to release his grip on his sword!

He had fought with such ferocity that his tendons were locked. I imagine that they gathered around him and pried open his fingers, one by one, until the sword fell to the ground and Eleazar finally knew it was over! His tenacity inspires me. He just wouldn’t give up.

It’s silly to dream about being Superman, but I can aspire to be an Eleazar. Even if those who stand alongside of me retreat from the battle of life, the struggle for that which is of God, it is my aspiration to keep swinging the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17, NIV) I want to hang on to God’s Truth without being overcome by fear, doubt, or evil. I want to be known as a guy whose hand held onto the Sword of the Spirit!

How about you?

An engaged life will be a life that meets with battles. We do not have to go looking for trouble. Evil will come to us. A godless society will demand that we stand for truth. The challenges will keep coming. From within ourselves there will be ongoing battles with temptation. When we beat back one temptation, another arises. The nature of life is such that we have only a brief respite to savor the victories before the next wave rolls toward us.

There is a promise for would-be Eleazar’s. God, the Spirit, never leaves us on our own. We need not try to stand in our strength. The Word says that He will "strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:16-19, NIV)

I’ll set aside my Superman fantasy and pray that I’ll be faithful, sustained by the Spirit’s strength, thanking Him that HE will not let me fall, that He will prepare a place where I can stand, grounded and with steady endurance.

If you’re weary, let me encourage you to do the same. Thank Him, renew your appreciation of His grace, breathe in the life and love of Christ, then stand ‘til your hand freezes to the sword!

The word from the Word today is a promise and challenge. "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." (Hebrews 10:35-39, NIV)

Amen

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Video at https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55

 

Back to Basics

Life is complex. Problems multiply. Questions go without answers. Who has not come to that moment when it is overwhelming that a kind of mental paralysis sets in, thinking is hard, decisions are pushed aside. Or, worse, people turn reactionary, lashing out in anger, blaming others, and crippling themselves by choosing some ill-informed, short-sighted ‘answer.’  In those seasons I like to joke that I want to find a cabin on a mountain far away and retreat from it all. I never have exercised that option!

Russell Moore writes of his own experience in the Christian church. “If one looked just under the surface, one could see some awful things: bigotry, cruelty, immorality, injustice. And he started to wonder, "What if what I’ve banked my entire life on—my entire eternity ahead—just isn’t true? What then?"

In such times, I like to ‘go back to basics’ reviewing those foundational truths on which my life rests. It does not replace the need to think deeply, nor do those basic answers resolve every question. However, I do find solid footing, anchor points that keep me steady, a course that moves in the right direction.

What are the basics of my life?

God loves!
Situations develop that obscure that fact sometimes. When a plane hits the ground like a dart in Florida killing everyone on board, an arrow of doubt pierces my heart! When cancer takes another young friend despite my prayers, God seems distant and uncaring! When the culture in which I live spins crazily out of control, the issue of God’s care and guidance get a bit shaky in my mind!

I go back to the Word where I learn that “We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:16, NIV) He is not ‘out to get me’ nor is He without compassion. In fact, “because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”  (Lamentations 3:22-24, NIV)

Jesus saves!
Don’t ridicule that little phrase. It is truth. Because of Jesus and the Cross there is NO reason to hide, to live with shame, to exist in the misery of guilt, or to be afraid to go boldly to prayer. When we fail to obey fully, as we all do, the Tempter whispers to us that we cannot pray, that we are outside of God’s care and love.

The Word makes it clear that we are not! "He (Jesus) has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News." (Colossians 1:22-23, NLT)

The Holy Spirit is present!
When I ask “Is God seeing? Is He here and near?” I feel orphaned and alone. All the complex theology that surrounds my faith becomes nearly meaningless in those moments. Like a child, I need my Father’s Presence near. And, He is.

Christianity that is just a systematic theology, neatly arranged in logical order, cannot be all we know. I make no argument for silly ideas or platitudes. Lord knows that modern Christians need to know more theology, able to ‘give an answer to those who ask the reason for their hope.”

Yet this I know - the heart and mind are both critical to the practice of our devotion. Paul says, “I want to know Christ!” Not just about Him, but to know Him, walk with Him, and pray with genuine faith to Him as the Intercessor and Advocate at the Father’s right hand.

Wesley spoke of a moment when his faith was stirred and his heart was ‘strangely warmed.’  These are those moments of mystery possible for each of us. Perhaps it is when we look at the night sky and feel small yet full of wonder. Maybe it’s during a worship gathering when we find our emotions shaken loose and our joy overflows in silent tears. Perhaps it is when we hold a newborn baby in a moment of amazement. Perhaps it is at the bedside of one who is dying when we sense both the frailty of our existence and the profound assurance that there is ‘more beyond.’

Jesus says "The Father … will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17, NIV)

Heaven awaits!
I suppose it comes with being an elder, now 71, but Heaven has taken on new meaning in my life. The certainty of death is no longer avoidable as it once was. Too many friends and family members have left this world for me to feel completely ‘at home’ here anymore.

I need to reaffirm the fact of Eternity and fix my hopes on the home prepared for me by my Father. Oh no, this does not mean that I stop living or that escape every present difficulty with an exclusive focus on the world to come. Our high calling is the ‘Kingdom come’ here on earth, the mission of bringing the message that sinners can become saints, that evil must be resisted, and that justice must be established remains primary.

But, on there on life’s horizon, which is much closer for me now, there is that promise that pulls me onward and upward.

I turn often to the Word to read this - "For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down—when we die and leave these bodies—we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put on new heavenly bodies. Our dying bodies make us groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and have no bodies at all. We want to slip into our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by everlasting life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit." (2 Corinthians 5:1-5, NLT)

Are you overwhelmed, confused, struggling with faith? Perhaps it’s time to review the basics -
God Loves!
Jesus Saves!
The Spirit is Present!
Heaven Awaits!

And, then move forward, with that firm foundation for faith in place.

Amen

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Video at https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55

When Joy Eludes Your Grasp

Joy slipped away from me this week. Heavy sighs were heard often! 
A friend’s health turned quickly and this morning he is dying. 
A young woman is struggling to live after a catastrophic health event. 
I am dealing with my own health issues, though not serious, enough to create some anxiety. 
Beyond that that, there is the awful chaos of our election season, the uncertainty about the stability of the world, etc!

It’s not a naturally joyful season for Jerry. I am not whining, nor do I believe myself to be going through anything that is outside the course of normal human experience. We all have days when things including brain chemistry, fatigue, disappointment, and even spiritual opposition hide the sun from our eyes.

But I also know that without the joy of the Lord I will not reflect the goodness of God to others in the way He desires. Knowing that, I am tempted to slip into a kind of religious duty, saying and doing the right things, just because … risking hypocrisy! Dutiful people can look admirable and godly with all their commitment to responsibility. Here is what I truly know – there is JOY in Jesus if we will keep our focus on Him, waiting out the stormy times.

Evidence of the Life of God’s Spirit in us is joy which is not to be confused with happiness, silliness, or mirth. Real joy rests on the assurance that God is truly God and will prepare for us all that we need. A joyless Christian (that was me this week) is not just going through an emotional crisis, he also has a spiritual issue with which he must deal. When Jesus taught about His intimate life-giving connection to us, using the metaphor of the vine and branches, He said that from Him we will draw life and "you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!" (John 15:11, NLT)

Jesus was "a man acquainted with grief, a man of sorrows." He did weep with those who were broken by disappointment, death, and disease. But He was never in despair. Life has many moments that are filled with sorrow. Death, divorce, sickness, poverty, rejection … it’s a long list of woes. Jesus says that He is with us in those moments as much as in the sunny days when all is well. Will we accept the gift of JOY?

A factor in experiencing joy is giving away the need to control outcomes. If I attempt to be ‘god’ insisting that I write the script for life, frustration will grow and joy will evaporate.

So, how do we live in His joy?

Worship!
"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11, NIV) If we are focused only on the needs, the duties, and pressing responsibilities – it is likely that Solomon’s lament – “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” will become our song.

Worship lifts our face to Heaven and allows us to regain a view of God's glorious works. No wonder the Scripture urges us to "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." (Psalm 95:1-2, NIV)

Serve!
The paradox of joy is that it never discovered in an endless pursuit of pleasure. Selfishness cuts us off from God's approval which is our greatest reason for joy! Jesus told a story about men who were entrusted with responsibility. Two of the three were diligent and obedient in their service. Note their commendation: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful . . . Enter into the joy of your lord." (Matthew 25:23, NKJV) Faithful service allows us to enter God’s joy.

Accept!  
Nothing is a greater joy-killer than becoming convinced that happiness lies in being someone else, somewhere else. God is where you are. Joy cannot be found outside of ourselves. It flows from inside of our heart. Jesus told a thirsty woman what I and you need to hear: "the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (John 4:14, NLT)  

Will we pray to be fully alive in our current situation, accepting His grace; or will we remain restless and joyless in our discontent. Those who are His beloved children can turn to Him and find help, strength, and resources. He gives grace for the journey. Accept it and there will be joy even in the trials of life. joy.

Here's a word from the Word, our reminder of joy in the Lord.
"He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.

Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols."  (Psalm 40:2-4, NLT)
____________

I thought of an older song that has encouraged me in the past. May this help us to find joy today.

Mourning Into Dancing

You have turned my mourning into dancing, Lord
Now my feet are filled with your praise
You have clothed my spirit with a robe of joy
You’ve cast my sorrow away

For Your anger last but a moment, Lord
And my tears endure for the night
But Your favor lasts for a lifetime, Lord
My joy returns with the morning light
For . . .

You have turned my mourning into dancing, Lord
Now my feet are filled with your praise
You have clothed my spirit with a robe of joy
You’ve cast my sorrow away

All my foes lose heart when they hear my voice
For I speak in Jesus’ Name
They turn back in fear at the sound of praise
I’ll not keep silent, I must proclaim
That . . .

You have turned my mourning into dancing, Lord
Now my feet are filled with your praise
You have clothed my spirit with a robe of joy
You’ve cast my sorrow away

Words and music by John G. Elliott
Copyright 1989 LCS Songs (a div. of Lorenz Creative Services)
/Charlie Monk Music. All rights reserved.

 

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Video at https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55

Making Politics Into Religious Devotion

In the 1980’s, the time of the birth of the so-called "Moral Majority," I took interest in the world of politics for the first time in my life. Previous to that time, most of the conservative Christians that I knew avoided that world, considering it a dirty business to be avoided. Reagan entered the scene and began to actively speak a kind of language I understood and in a brief time I was seduced by the promise of a national renewal that would emerge from the halls of Congress.

40 years later I am aghast at the deception that so many Christ-followers have allowed. Awful and cruel policies of naked discrimination, leaders who lie without accountability and are supported without question, and fires of division stoked by apocalyptic and hateful words are the new normal. Politics has become the new religion. The expressions of devotion and the statements of dread reflect a kind of absolutism once reserved for convictions about the nature of God Himself!

Without apology I will say that politics are fool’s gold in any discussion about spiritual revival. Laws of men can never replace the Gospel of Christ and the power of the Spirit in the work of bringing God’s reign to the world.

Russell Moore wrote that “the most important lesson we should learn is that the church must stand against the way politics has become a religion, and religion has become politics.”  Christians need to be more than Republican or Democrat, conservative or progressive!

We are first and foremost citizens of Heaven
and disciples of Christ. Our best life is not found
in a party but in His Church!

What a horror it is to me to know that our convictions about health care, immigration, the care of the poor, human rights, or gender politics separate those who are called to be children of God, brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. It has been said in my presence more than once, “He could not possibly be a Christian. Look at who he supports.”  Come now, friend. Is that really true? Does support for the temporal agenda of some political party disqualify a person from knowing and loving Jesus Christ? Since when some national policy turn into a test to determine who is actually ‘in Christ?’

When we elevate the political process and misplace our hope in the power of legislation to save and transform the world, we have given ourselves to a false god and we have been seduced by an empty hope! The old cliché reminds us that we “cannot legislate morality. That is not to say that we have no interest in public policy and how it shapes the world in which we live. Christians, just like everyone else, have ideals that they would like to see written into law. (And, just like everyone else, they will think differently about many things.)

In truth, our highest and most holy calling is not to write better laws but rather to bring salvation to the nations through the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ! We transform our world by changing human hearts and minds. From changed hearts and minds flows the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, and such things. IF Christians are as divided as the culture in which they live and as religiously devoted to the relatively petty processes of politics, they will lose the unique and high calling of bringing Hope to the world.

We are to “maintain a prophetic clarity that is willing to call to repentance everything that is unjust and anti-Christ, whether that is the abortion culture, the divorce culture, or the racism/nativism culture.”  (Russell Moore)  

We must be people who wrestle with clarity, who will tell the truth, whether it helps or hurts our so-called ‘allies’ or our so-called ‘enemies.’”  A prophet speaks on God’s behalf with holy authority born of her intimate relationship with God.

I will pointedly ask –
when you make those ripping statements on Facebook,
when you hurl hateful comments at the ‘other’ side,
when you seethe with rage about some defeat of legislation or
exult with something akin to religious ecstasy over the majority of one party or the other–
is that the result of time before the Throne of Heaven and a profound experience of the Holy, or is it an expression of the preferences of Self?

Many Christians are like Esau of old, selling their souls for a pot of soup! As I stated in the opening of this essay, I made that mistake a long time ago when I was enthralled with the siren song of the Moral Majority of the 1980’s.  It is not one I will make again. Right or Left in our convictions, we cannot afford to become so closely aligned with one party’s agenda that we lose our ability to represent the One who is the Hope of the World. I am a Christian first, an American second, and my political affiliation comes in a distant third. How about you? Are you my brother or my sister in His family?

The word from the Word is a reminder of our true identity. I am His, He is mine.
In Christ, “You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.”  (1 Peter 2:9-11)

Father God, preserve us in this time of change.
Call us into Your holy Presence.
As we kneel humbly and gain the assurance of
The salvation and Your love shown us in Christ Jesus,
Help us to rise to love others to wholeness.

Forgive us for making our politics into a religion,
For giving devotion and fervor rightly reserved for You
To lesser things.

Make Your Church beautiful, a place of clear vision,
A people of hope, full of amazing, courageous, and bold love.
Jesus shine brightly in us and through us. Amen

 

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Video at https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55

Morning prayer 108 A Prayer for Inner Peace

Abba, I enter Your Presence expectantly this day. I seek Your peace, a renewed sense that I am held secure in Your care. Recently my heart has become unsettled; questions rising that resist simple answers. I am enduring an apparent silence of Heaven that leaves me seeking solace in other things. Oh, Lord, speak anew!

Let me hear You speak to the storm – “Peace, be still!”
With the Psalmist I pray -
"I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
(Psalm 73:23-26, NIV)

Many in my circle of acquaintances are in crisis time, Lord Jesus.
Be the healer of the sick, the restorer of the broken, the hope for those who despair, the joy of those overwhelmed by the darkness, and the Savior of us all. Jesus, be the Lord of all!

Spirit of God lead the way this new week, showing the path clearly by Your light.
Teach me to live in love, to rest in grace, and to endure difficult times with patience.
For the glory of Your Name, I pray. Amen.

You are not Alone!

The young man has been sitting in a jail cell in maximum confinement for 5 months. I visit him every Friday morning, sitting in a small, windowless room, talking across a cold steel table. The whole situation is isolated, lonely! He is resisting the usual choice to join one of the gangs that are common among those who are incarcerated but going it ‘alone’ is a perilous and difficult choice. Yesterday I reminded him that God’s Spirit cannot be shut out by bars or violence, that there is One who is always with him.

Jesus, before He was crucified, gathered His disciples, and said "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:16-18, NIV) 

When fear rises in the night, the Spirit is there.
When challenges come at Noon, He is there.
When you are successful and ready to celebrate, He is there, too!
When heartbreak shatters you, He is there.

The text I read a moment ago says that He is our Counselor. Some Bible translations say, “Comforter.” Others say, “Helper.”  The original text, Koine Greek, reads “parakletos,” a word that described someone who stood with their friend in time of need to speak on their behalf. God, the Holy Spirit, is there, at our side, all the time. We are never alone!

Friends are a blessing and worth the effort required to create and strengthen our ties with them. Being on teams at work or in ministry is a blessing of inestimable value. But the ever-present Spirit is a treasure, a rich resource, a great comfort. Let us never ignore Him or push Him away with our doubt or disobedience.

Let me assure you today that none of us is ever too far gone, too sinful, too anything to be beyond the reach of God’s Spirit.

In the story of the ancient Jewish people, their sins had become such that God needed to bring correction. He did so with an invading army that decimated the land. It was a terrible time, of great suffering, yet even then they were not completely forsaken. They felt like they were.

 It looked like God had forgotten them, but He said otherwise. "But the Lord still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them. O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will respond instantly to the sound of your cries. Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and affliction for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes, and you will hear a voice say, “This is the way; turn around and walk here.” (Isaiah 30:18-21, NLT)

What a phrase! “Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and affliction for drink, he will still be with you.”   Sometimes when we are going through difficult seasons, especially those we realize are the result of our own failure, we might be tempted to think that God has abandoned us. That is a lie much used by the Evil One to discourage us. In truth – God is with us, shaping us, molding us, and asking us to trust Him more.

The story of the Prodigal Son, told by Jesus, and recorded for us in Luke 15, reminds us that He is our waiting Father, calling to us, desiring our return to the embrace of His love. Listen for the voice of the Spirit Who even today is saying, “This is the way; turn around and walk here.”

The word from the Word brings us tremendous joy as we learn and live it. Take with you today and remember that YOU ARE NEVER ALONE.
"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of sonship.
And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Daddy!)
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,
if indeed we share in his sufferings
in order that we may also share in his glory."
(Romans 8:15-17, NIV)

Can I get a Hallelujah? Amen

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Video at https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55

My hearing aids

Three years ago, I decided that I needed help with my hearing. I could ‘hear’ the sounds of conversation but often without clarity. I was missing out, or worse, would say something that was totally unrelated to the topic because I could not hear properly! So, I bought hearing aids. What a blessing they can be when I remember to put them in my ears before I leave my home.

Are you able to hear the voice of the Lord, attuned to His ways and will, ready to respond?

He does speak, promises to guide us, and is our “ever-present help in times of trouble.” Enjoying those blessings, however, do require some choices we make, much like my improved hearing required me to choose to get help! What follows is not a formula of ‘3 easy steps to knowing God’s will.’  Rather, I want to offer some suggestions that you may consider for increasing your spiritual insight.

In Luke 10 we read the story of Jesus’ visit to the home of Mary and Martha. Martha was taken up with her work to provide hospitality and grew angry at her sister for just sitting around listening! The Lord famously did not join Martha’s indignance, but instead said this - “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40 NIV) Jesus came to visit with both women. One was willing to listen. The other felt only the frustration she created for herself.

Martha teaches us that we can be so taken up with our religious service that we miss out on knowing the true Presence of Jesus. IF we make our spiritual life all about the songs we sing, the scrupulous adherence to rituals, or digging around in the words of the Bible for some new ‘truth’ – our ability to hear the Spirit’s voice can be diminished, even lost. Like Mary, we must choose to make ourselves available to the Lord and examine our attitude toward Him if we desire to hear His voice.

If we want to hear Him, we must choose to respond to Him. Ever watched a parent attempt to speak with a child who has decided to ignore her Mom? That little one hears the words but has chosen not to actually listen. We watch knowing that correction is coming at some point in time.

When God speaks to us, He desires that we respond with obedience. There are times when I am reading the scripture or listening to a sermon when I sense the Spirit asking for growth and/or change. In that moment, I am faced with a choice: submit to Him or ignore His voice. I confess that sometimes I try to dismiss the impression, excusing my actions or determining that what I feel is just a left-over echo of my own conscience.

Using the example of the ancient people of Israel, the Word warns us of ‘hardening our heart!’ "As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?" (Hebrews 3:15-16, NIV) They had seen spectacular miracles as they left Egypt. They were living with day-to-day provisions from the Lord, but they chose to ignore Him and became spiritual deaf! The risk remains when we resist the clear call of the Spirit to walk faithfully in His ways.

A good conversation that is rich in understanding requires at least as much listening as it does speaking. Someone suggested that too often we formulate a response to the other person before they finish speaking. We are so focused on what we want to say that we do not really ‘hear’ the other person. Ever had that experience? It’s not great, is it? 

Prayer is not JUST bringing a list of requests to God. Yes, He wants us to ask Him for every need, to share with Him every doubt, to bring our friends and family before Him in our prayers. AND, He wants us to learn to listen, too. Contemplative prayer, that which is focused on the Person of God, in which I am with HIM in silent focus, allows Him to speak. Oh, it is hard! A thousand thoughts will intrude as we quiet ourselves before Him. Most of us are so addicted to noise, to our smartphones, to constant background chatter on the TV or streaming device, that we experience a kind of anxiety when we enter into silence for more than a couple of minutes.

But, if we would hear from God, we must learn that discipline. We must choose to wait before Him with simple faith and earnest expectation. When you attempt this, do not be discouraged if days pass when you come from silence feeling that time was wasted.

Yes, God is speaking everywhere, all the time. The Scripture is His revelation of His will. But He does not only speak to us when our Bibles are open. He speaks to us in the voice of friend, in the arrangement of our circumstances, in the good times and the awful, too. As Elijah learned on the mountain, He seldom roars or shouts. Mostly His is the ‘still, small voice.’ Let’s learn to listen!

This word from the Word is a precious promise. Be encouraged by it to learn and listen.
"The LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." (Proverbs 2:5-11, NIV)

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Video at https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55

Morning Prayer 107

Abba, I am incurably religious, willing to slip too quickly into making my faith about the songs I sing, the holy days I observe, and the parsing of words in my studies of the Bible. Forgive me for the misplaced focus on ‘me.’  Draw me to change and cause my heart to desire You.

My heart is a rebel so I pray you will call me persistently and grant me the grace of patience as I wait for Your ways and will to unfold in my life.

Renew my spirit as You move deeply within me, making my stony heart into one that is pliable in Your hands, responsive to Your leading. Help me to see You and Your goodness in moments of wonder that are scattered throughout my ordinary days.

When Self struts, convict me and lead me to new humility before You.
Help me to keep in step with the Spirit and to discover the rich and full life offered to those who are followers of Your Son, Jesus.

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, O LORD,
your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD." (Psalm 25:4-7, NIV)

In Jesus' holy Name I pray. Amen.

The End Of The World As We Know It

Is anyone else sick of the campaign ads yet? Once again we are in an electoral season that has turned ugly, with personal attacks, half-truths, and even outright lies featured in those intrusive and annoying ads. Both sides insist that if the other party takes power, it will mean the end of democracy, the ruin of the nation. I am quite aware that the election will have consequences for the country.

BUT I have lived long enough to know that swings from right to left and back again are normal in our system of government. Will the election of one party or the other really effect American history? Most certainly! Public policies for the next decade will be changed by the legislation enacted. My intent today is not to minimize the importance of this election, but I want to set it in context of Heaven's truth.

God makes it known in the Scripture - "I am in charge of history!"

Consider Daniel. He was taken by invaders from his home in Jerusalem to Babylon where he was put in the service of a pagan emperor. It must have been hard for Daniel to reconcile the truth that God was revealing to him concerning His control of human events and the fact that his homeland was in ruins and that young Jews like himself were in captives in a foreign land. Yet, he stayed faithful to the revelation.

Daniel, despite tragedy, remained God's man. As a result, he was amazingly effective as God's spokesman through three successive empires!

One time, Nebuchadnezzar demanded that his counselors tell him what he had dreamed and the meaning of his dream. Impossible? Yes! Daniel went to prayer, received the revelation, and went to tell the king what God was saying to him. God showed Daniel that He was still in charge.

The king had dreamt of a large statue with golden head, silver chest, bronze belly, iron legs, and feet of clay. God revealed the coming empires that would follow the Assyrian one. The key part of the dream was the Stone that was cut out of a mountain, not with human hands, which rolled down to destroy the statue.

What is the meaning?
All earthly kingdoms will come to an end when the King of Kings sets up His reign.
As hard as it may for us to discern, we know, by faith, that GOD HOLDS HISTORY IN HIS HANDS and HIS PLANS WILL SUCCEED.

When Daniel was about 80 years old, once again a king saw a terrifying vision. Belshazzar, the regent of Babylon, whose arrogance far outstripped that of Nebuchadnezzar, was throwing a banquet when a hand appeared to write on the wall of the hall. No one could understand the cryptic phrase - MENE MENE TEKEL PARSIN.

In the terror filled moment, the queen mother reminded Belshazzar of an old Jewish man who had counseled the prior king. Daniel came and read the inscription: "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin" -- "Numbered, numbered, Weighed, and Divided!"

Boldly, Daniel pronounced the message of Heaven.
"Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. He made him so great that people of all races and nations and languages trembled before him in fear. ... But when his heart and mind were hardened with pride, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. ...until he learned that the Most High God rules the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them. You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself. For you have defied the Lord of heaven ...you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! So, God has sent this hand to write a message." (Daniel 5:18-24, NLT)

God rules!  Though the world is filled with chaos, though the parties declare that the end of all things is imminent, Christians are assured that Heaven has not abandoned us. The Scripture consistently calls us to be responsible, proactive, and engaged all the while reminding us that we are not in charge and that we need not be afraid. Though we are aliens in this world, passing through on our way to our home, the Spirit is with us and God is guiding us.

Jesus follower, I want to urge you to trust that revelation today.
Steady yourself in faith in God.
Don’t be duped by the politicians who claim the Name of Jesus and espouse hatred in the same breath!
Pray for eyes that see what God sees and a mind that thinks as He thinks as the Spirit gives revelation. In this election year when there is so much anxiety about the future of this country... remember the Truth!
"saying, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he alone has all wisdom and power. He determines the course of world events; he removes kings and sets others on the throne. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars." (Daniel 2:20-21, NLT)  

I am NOT a fatalist! I accept that the Lord has charged me with responsibility to pray for His will to be done and to seek the establishment of what is good and just. So, I commit myself to discern His will and then to live with heart-deep faith and rock-solid assurance.

Pray with me the simple and wonderful prayer that Jesus taught us to pray:
"‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’" (Matthew 6:8-13, NIV)

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen

MAID in America

In the guise of ‘compassion’ and/or ‘justice,’ Americans continue to degrade the value of human life. 14 states now have MAID (Medical Aid In Dying) laws. Have you heard of them? In short, these laws permit, with some limits, physicians to prescribe pills that will prematurely end the life of people who are terminally ill. The state of New York outlines the law’s intent this way – “when a terminally ill, mentally competent adult patient, who is likely to die within six months, takes prescribed medicines, which must be self-administered, to end suffering and achieve a peaceful death.” 

If you are like about two-thirds of American adults you read that and thought – “So what’s wrong with that? It’s a good idea.”  In purely practical terms, I could agree. I have watched both my parents and my wife struggle through months of sickness and suffering and eventually die from cancer that ravaged their bodies. Some part of me wondered about allowing them to choose an earlier exit from it all.

BUT, they and I share a high view of human life and the sovereignty of our Creator God, Who alone holds the keys to life and death!

Theologian Brad East wrote - “The church’s moral teaching has always held that murder—defined as the intentional taking of innocent life—is intrinsically evil. It follows that actively intending the death of an elderly or sick human being and then deliberately bringing about that death through some positive action, such as the administration of drugs, is always and everywhere morally wrong.”  (https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/12/why-christians-oppose-euthanasia)

A great tragedy has come over the evangelical Christian church in which most pastors are silent on the issue of the sacredness of human life. The line has steadily eroded over the last 40 years from a firm insistence that all life must be protected and cherished to a more utilitarian view that couples the value to life to some supposed ‘quality of life.’  Tolerance for abortion has crept into our minds. Widespread acceptance of capital punishment, despite the revelations of so many mistaken convictions, is now common among us. I heard not a peep of protest about the proposed travesty of a firing squad execution that our government proposes to stream live from our pulpits!

One advocate for life and speaker on Christian ethics, Heidi Janz, who has multiple disabilities and speaks with a voice synthesizer, says “The silence has been deafening, We’re just collectively shrugging our shoulders. I think we’re going to have a lot to answer for.”

We seem to have forgotten a key truth of our faith – that God will redeem our suffering for His purposes. Our very salvation came at the cost of suffering by Jesus at the Cross. Few seem to be willing to accept that God can use and does use pain. I am not trying to sugarcoat the awful pain and loss of dignity that came with the long process of death that my parents and wife endured when I say that in each of those experiences a new and amazing depth of love and grace were uncovered. There were long nights when I sat with my Dad’s head lying in my lap as we listened to songs that reminded us of God’s grace. My Mom and I shared faith and hope in the darkest moments and my faith grew. Bev and I fell more intensely in love even as her strength ebbed away and I became less her husband more her caregiver. Yes, it was hard for me and even harder for them – BUT truly God’s love was present in a way we never knew before the ‘awful.’  I cannot imagine what would have been lost in their lives or mine IF they had chosen to end life prematurely.

Christians are called to the highest love, a love that goes beyond bliss, romance, or mutual affection. Our love is modeled on that of Jesus ‘who came to serve, not to be served.’   Consider the consistent theme of the New Testament.

"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other." (John 13:34, NLT)

"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." (Romans 12:10, NLT)

"Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, NLT)

That kind of love provides purpose and value to each person for we are, together, the Body of Christ. "Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." (Ephesians 4:16, NLT)

Another common argument offered in support of MAID, is framed as ‘death with dignity.’ To be sure, dying is an ugly business! Frequently there is a decline in self-care, a growing reliance on others for even the basic physical needs. Yesterday I went to visit a man in hospice care, a man who once gave voice to faith, who shared my hope in Christ Jesus. When I entered his room, I saw a man now totally dependent on care, who did not even recognize me, and who talked in confused jumbles of words. It was my privilege to offer my hand, to extend care to him, to pray with him knowing that even in this greatly diminished state he remains a child of God!

We must regain our understanding that we belong to God – from birth to death. That we do not own our bodies, not can we claim radical autonomy. The inspired Word says clearly – “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.”  (1 Corinthians 6:19) That statement is not qualified in terms of good health, convenience, or practical value!  God owns me and I surrender what others claim to be my ‘right’ to self-determination to His will.

Is that a hard truth? It is! But, it is a foundation of life’s sacredness.  

Let’s live well, investing ourselves in the highest and best for the glory of God, even as we remember what the Word tells us about our mortality: “man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) IF we reject the modern fascination with youth and accept the fact of dying, we will live better lives.  And the fear of death will be tempered by the hope found in Christ Jesus who promises that “There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”  (John 14:2)

Amen

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Video at https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55

A Beggar and A Rich Man

How much do you care for the poor? It’s not an easy answer in part because it can be hard to actually define what being ‘poor’ means.  Are you poor if you drive a car more than 10 years old or use a smartphone that is more than 3 years old? Are you poor if you cannot afford to eat in restaurants regularly? Must you be homeless to be poor?  Most Americans, even those who are poor by our standard of living are relatively well off compared to many in developing nations in the world.

Rather than assign an economic measure I would say that an almost universal indicator of poverty is being ‘invisible person.’  For whatever reason, when a person is no longer seen, no longer given human worth, they have become poor. Now let ask the question again – how much do you care for the poor?

No one knowing even a little about what Jesus taught can miss the fact that He cared deeply for those who were invisible, impoverished to the point of becoming ‘worthless’ in the eyes of others.
Consider a teaching story He told … 

 “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed and who lived each day in luxury. At his door lay a diseased beggar named Lazarus. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. Finally, the beggar died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Lazarus in the far distance with Abraham.

“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in these flames.’ “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. Anyone who wanted to cross over to you from here is stopped at its edge, and no one there can cross over to us.’ “

Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them about this place of torment so they won’t have to come here when they die.’ “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read their writings anytime they want to.’ “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins.’ “

But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”" (Luke 16:19-31, NLT)

Let’s get one erroneous conclusion out of the way quickly. The rich man was not condemned because of HIS WEALTH! Jesus pointed out his willful ignorance of the plight of a poor man who lay right at his doorstep. One of the main points of the story is that value in God’s eyes is vastly different from value in human eyes and in His grace, God makes possible a great reversal.

A man who had everything – the right clothing, the right food, the right home – but who lacked a right heart loses it all.

In Jesus’ telling the poor man is named unlike the rich man. In this he is made a person not just an object. His plight is terrible – a beggar, diseased, and set upon by scavenging dogs. It is a horrific existence made worse by the fact that relief was steps away, but denied by the blindness of the rich man. We know nothing about the spiritual practice of Lazarus but we are told he entered into paradise.

Note, too, just how entitled that rich man is even after death! He asks Father Abraham to send Lazarus to comfort him in his torment! He still thinks of himself as better than the poor beggar to whom he now ‘looks up’ to see.

Dear Christian, will you ask the Spirit to help you to see the poor, to give dignity to those denied it by the blindness and assumptions of others?

Jesus spoke often about caring for widows, orphans, and children – people who were often invisible, powerless, and living on the edge of survival in His time, mostly dependent on the charity of others. His message is consistent that pleasing God includes being aware of human need and caring enough to become involved.

He summarized His mission succinctly - "And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost.”" (Luke 19:10, NLT) Yes, we rightly understand He seeks those who are spiritually lost, reconciling them to His Father. But, a wider view of that statement, drawn from His earthly ministry, cannot ignore His care for the poor.

Indeed, in His announcement at the synagogue in Capernaum, He quoted the prophecy of Isaiah that says - " The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn." (Isaiah 61:1-2, NIV)

The first generations of Christians in the Roman Empire were noted for their care for the lowest, the least, the poor and powerless. Slaves were welcomed to their worship. Social distinctions were erased when one became a Christian. This was the inspired revelation that they experienced. "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:26-29, NIV) 

Can we practice the usual social discrimination of our culture and claim to ‘in Christ?’
It is possible to allow ourselves to not see the poor – whatever the reason for their poverty- and claim to like our Lord?

The questions beg our answer. Hopefully, we will take up the Call to care before we challenged by our Lord Jesus at the Day of Reckoning before His throne.

The word from the Word as I close comes from Proverbs 31. "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice." (Proverbs 31:8-9, NLT)

Amen.

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Video at https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55

What Jesus Makes Possible

I love conversion stories! In my Christian tradition we often call this a person’s “Testimony.”  When a person tells the story of an experience of the grace of God, I’m moved. What joy it is to hear about - violent people who become peacemakers,
hopeless people who find new life,
addicts who learn to live in sobriety,
loveless people who discover the transformative love of the Father.

All of those stories illustrate the key principle of a passage in 2 Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.”

When God’s Spirit touches the human heart and there is a response of faith, something real and wonderful happens. A whole new way of life becomes possible. The assurance of eternity with God in Heaven is written on the heart of that one who comes to Christ Jesus.

Have you been ‘saved?’ 

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, writes of the predicament of humanity in chapters 1 to 3.

Sin came into the world, separating us from God. As a result of sin, death, both spiritual and physical, was the lot of Adam’s children, including you and me. The famed verse says that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23, NIV) 

But, through faith, we can receive a gift that changes everything. Romans uses three words to describe what it means to be ‘saved.’

We are justified. (Romans 3:24 “We are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”) 

In the court of Heaven, we were indicted and bound to be condemned at the Judgment. But, when we believe and receive Christ, God declares us ‘not guilty,’ not because we are deserving, but because Jesus extends grace to us. It’s more than a pardon. We are released from all guilt!

We are redeemed. (Romans 3:24 “We are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”) 

In the world in which Paul lived people were sold into servitude to settle debts! It was a terrible thing. However, there could be redemption! If family and/or friends put together enough resources to pay off the debt, the person enslaved was redeemed, set free. You and I, in our natural state, are slaves of sin, but there is a Redeemer, Jesus, God’s own Son. Jesus tells us of His mission to pay the ransom for our freedom. (Mark 10:45) “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Our love for Him is such that we become servants of God, living to please Him. As Paul says “You were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

We are given the gift of righteousness.  "Now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, … God presented him (Jesus) as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.” (Romans 3:25, NIV) 

Paul has in mind here the Jewish rituals of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. In the Holiest of Holy places, the Ark of the Covenant was kept. the mercy seat that was the lid of that box that contained the 10 Commandments. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest carried blood for an offering on behalf of the people that satisfied the holy demands of God.

A system of sacrifices turned away God’s wrath from the sinner. Shocked at that language?

Perhaps that is because our concept of God is so impoverished. He is a loving Father, the glorious Creator, and the Judge of all the earth. We are, “by nature objects of wrath,’ except that God, mysteriously and wondrously, offered His own Son as the final sacrifice for sin, once for all time.            

Yes, those are hard concepts for us, but we must go beyond a superficial and emotion-based grasp of the amazing gift of God. When our minds are filled with the wonder of salvation – that we are justified, that we are redeemed, that God has made us right at great cost – there is an unshakeable assurance that fills our mind and heart, compelling us to joy and faithful love.

Have you been ‘saved?’  Trust Christ Jesus with your life and accept the offer of forgiveness and renewal … and salvation is the gift He gives.

Here is a word from the Word. Oh, may the promise of God that saves us from the human predicament cause us to sing today.

"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." (Ephesians 1:13-17, NIV) Amen

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Video at https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55