The Power of the Resurrection

I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10,11) 

Thoughts: I have seen films of the surface of great tectonic plates moving in certain sections of California in an earthquake.  When they move up- it pulls everything up with it.  The more powerful a rocket engine, the more it can pull up with it.  When Jesus rose from the dead it was a great plate-moving and powerful event.  His resurrection up from the dead assures those of us who are connected to Him by faith to be pulled up from the dead as well.
    The power of the resurrection is in part that we are assured of our own being raised. But more than that, it also assures us that we can be lifted up in this life.  If you know you cannot be defeated by any sadness, sorrow, death, or mourning in this life- it lifts up your spirits.  In the end we know who will win- and such knowledge lifts up our hearts with hope and even joy.  Joy, as has been explained many times, is different from happiness (that depends on circumstances).  Joy depends on the certain hope that no matter what we will win.  The lower we go, in some ways the more happy we are that we know we will win with Christ.  
    Even in this coronavirus time, the virus cannot defeat our soul.  We will rise above it as individuals all the while praying that God will lift our nation above it socially, economically, mentally- and yes, spiritually.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power that is yours that lifts even me up.  May my hope be anchored in your resurrection power.  

The Power of the Resurrection 1

I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and somehow to attain to the resurrection.  (Phil. 3:10,11a). 

Narrative doesn't really touch the power of the resurrection.  Poetry points to it, but singing from our soul is the best we can do.  When I was in Young Life in high school, one of the first songs I led in Christian singing was about the power of the resurrection.  

CHORUS:
I am the resurrection and the life;
He who believes in me will never die.
I am the resurrection and the life;
He who believes in me will live a new life.

1. I have come to bring the truth;
I have come to bring you life;
If you (yes you), believe (I do), then you shall live.

2. In my word all men will come to know
It is love which makes the Spirit grow
If you (yes you), believe (I do), then you shall live.

3. Keep in mind the things that I have said
Remember me in the breaking of the bread
If you (yes you), believe (I do), then you shall live.

Ray Repp song youtube by Henry Garcia (audio only)

Jesus came to give us eternal life.  But eternal life does not begin after we die- the life God has meant for us begins now.  We can be loving- now.  We can be kind- now.  We can have joy- now.  We can experience forgiveness for our sins and our past- now.  We can be lifted up when we feel we are the mud on the bottom of someone's shoes- now.  Jesus said He has come to give us the abundant life- now (Jn. 10:10).  The Bible says that you can know you have eternal life.  It doesn't begin after we die- it begins the minute we first really believe. This is true in the coronavirus time and in ordinary time.  


Prayer: Lord, you are my resurrection and my life.  Help me to trust that if I believe in you I will never die.  Iin this tough time, Lord, lift me up.  

Focus on the Power of Jesus

Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (NIV)

Thoughts: We are called to know Christ but also to know His power.  It is one thing to know Christ as a person- but miss the power of His resurrection.  Billions claim to know about Christ; Billions claim to know Him in some way;  But to know His power- His ability- His strength- His help- His amazing wonders- His power emanating from Him is another matter.  If your God can do nothing either for or against you- then you may want to re-examine if this is the right person you are worshiping.  God does not just exist in the past.  He did not just have power when He created the world- and then He not only rested but stopped.  God did not just do miracles in the Old Testament times- for about 2,000 years and then He did miracles through Jesus and the apostles until the Bible was canonized.  God is still God- and that means He is providentially alive and powerful.  He governs the world in His providence.  He rules the world through His power.  
    There are different ways to focus or respond to getting over this virus.  Let me list a few.
    1) A stiff upper lip- just endure it and it will go away.  This is the stoic way, and it is a growing way of looking at life in America.  The problem with stoicism is it offers no hope and no meaning just "get through it" is all, when there can be so much more.
   2) We did it ourselves.  Last week, the governor of New York self-gratifyingly said,  “We have turned the corner on the Coronavirus plague. It was not faith or prayers that did it. Only hard work and science.”  How does he know that God had nothing to do with it.  He did not take an agnostic stance but an all-knowing stance that God did not heal anyone, God did not help anyone, God did not give any ideas to anyone, God didn't give courage or inspiration to anyone (even the Samaritan's Purse hospital in Central Park?).  God often works through our hard work, our science, and our wonderful volunteers, and the people who socially distanced out of consideration of others.     
3) We could pray to the evil itself.  I see this in people who are in awe at the power and spread of this virus.  They cower only at the virus and do not bow to the true God.  In the ancient world this was common.  So the plague takes on a persona and offerings are made to it.  So in Corinth statues were made of the syphilis virus and the boils and growths STDs produced in an offering to the goddess of love for the easing of pain.  There were many plague gods in Akkadia Aplu/Apollo, Babylon Nergal, China Wen Shen, Northern Europe Ruohtta, Aztec Xipe Totec, and in Egypt Resheph- whose being the plague god did not stop the 10 plagues caused by the Hebrew god.  We do not need to worship the power of corona and fear the corona-virus as if it were all-powerful, or that the sickness and pain it brings about are the ultimate end of life.   
    4) We could worship and look to the Lord to raise us up.  It is the power of God over pestilence and death that God shows in the Passover/Exodus and also in the resurrection of Christ.  No plague/pestilence/disease/sickness or evil can stop His life and thus our hope.  Our focus should not simply be on our stiff upper lip, our own abilities, the pain and evil around us.  Rather we are called to lift up our heads to the power of Christ.  He offers us hope, the ability to cope, but also the power of God to overcome.  By the way, the greatest healing agent against the corona-virus is not something you buy over the counter- or even bleach or any kind of alcohol- but it is UV rays found in FREE- God-given sunlight! we do not worship sunlight- but we should give thanks to the One who gives it.
We would do well to remember, especially today, the power of God to resurrect us and lift us up as a nation now- and the ultimate resurrection later. 

Prayer: Lord, Let me focus on your power instead of my powerlessness.  Let me wait on your timing instead of giving into my impatience.  May your power not only protect us, heal us, but also raise us back up again.   

The value and Cost of Knowing God

7But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. 8More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ,a the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (Philippians 3:10) 

[Message Translation: 10-11 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.]

Thoughts: Paul considered all human pedigree, degrees, status as nothing compared to the great power of Christ.  He counted it as garbage compared to Christ.  Jesus told the parable of the Pearl of Great Price where a man gave everything he had to buy the precious pearl, and considered it a great bargain.  No amount of stuff, no house, boat, car, popular applause are worth losing your soul- or especially not knowing your great Maker who loves you.  As Paul put it, the "surpassing excellence of knowing Christ" is something no one can take away, and that has eternal value.  If someone said they would trade you 1,000 pencils for one stock certificate that was worth a million dollars, would you do so because 1,000 is greater than one?  Would a hundred plastic toy ten inch boats be worth more than one 100 foot yacht because there are a hundred of them?  Yet, we get so enthralled in counting our little toys that we underestimate the value of the eternal, loving, all present God.  Paul says knowing God is His true quest and main desire.  Jesus said (John 17:3)- "and this is eternal life- to know you the only true God."  We also think we have to know all about something before we can go forward with a decision.  How much of a lake do you have to know before you start to swim in it?  Do you have to know how many feet of shore it has, how many fish are inside it, how cold the water temperature is (though that might help), or how many other people are in the lake right now?  No, you just get in.  In fact, the more you try to figure it out, the more you become unsure about getting in.  We put too much stock in our own prideful knowledge and not enough stock in the knowledge of God.  We also value our time doing other things as better than our time pursuing God.  That too, shows a twist in values.  In this coronavirus time, we have an opportunity to get our priorities right.   Pursue knowing God.  He wants you to call Him Father.  He wants you to know that He loves you.  He wants you to be all in- jump in with Him!

Prayer: Lord, let me count all the secondary things in life as rubbish compared the primary thing of knowing you

I want to Know Christ and His Power

I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10, 11) 

Thoughts: I am going to concentrate on these verses a bit this week.  The point of these verses is to know Christ and His resurrection power.  But there is a lot of deep meaning here.  I think at Eastertide (which is what we are in now) and during Coronavirustide (which is what we are stuck in now), there is some deep truths for us.
First- I want to know Christ.  Now, Paul already knows Christ.  Yet there is so much more to know.  I know my wife, yet I do not fully know her.
It is not just knowledge about Christ that Paul is referring to.  I know about Queen Elizabeth, but I have never met her.  It is one thing to know about Christ- that He lived in Palestine, died there and is an important teacher.
It is not just knowledge and following of His teachings here that is important.  Of course, His teachings of love, of grace, of respect are important.  But this is not the knowledge that Paul sought more and more.
It is the knowledge of His person experientially that Paul sought.  Paul wanted to know God and to love God.  God is infinite.  The Scriptures are finite but point to the infinite God truly. 
    Often I hear people say, "You can never know about God- your guess is as good as mine."  If God did not reveal Himself that would be true.  But Jesus claims to be the revelation of God ("He who has seen me has seen the Father", et al.).  Scriptures claim this about Him too ("The exact representation of the invisible God").  Scriptures do not explain or answer everything.  But what they say is true enough for us.
     In our Coronavirus Time, we are struggling to find hope based on truth.  It is time to stop going our own way- and turn to go God's way.  It is time to stop naval gazing at our own abilities and accomplishments and start looking to know the infinite God and love Him better. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to know you.  Let me seek more of you in my mind, soul, and life. Help me to grow in my love for you.  Amen.  

Sermon: 4-26-20 Coming Out of This

“Isolation and Opening Up”  4/26/20 42 day of corona-virus time; Lev. 13:45-46, 4-6; Lk. 5:12-16; Jn. 11:35-46

Leviticus 13-  If the spot on his skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to put the infected person in isolation for seven days.  On the seventh day the priest is to examine him, and if he sees that the sore is unchanged and has not spread in the skin, he is .  to keep him in isolation another seven days, On the seventh day the priest is to examine him again, and if the sore has faded and has not spread in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a rash.  The man must wash his clothes and he will be clean.   

Luke 5:12-16  12While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell facedown and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 13Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14“Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 15But the news about Jesus spread all the more, and great crowds came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.

John 11:35-46  35Jesus wept. 36Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” 37But some of them asked, “Could not this man who opened the eyes of the blind also have kept Lazarus from dying?”38Jesus, once again deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39“Take away the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.”40Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.” 43After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”44The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.
*****************************************

     How do you identify a person if they cannot speak or communicate?  Geeta was a deaf-mute who could not read or write.  She was separated from her Indian family when they wandered across the militarized border with Pakistan.  A Pakistani muslim charity cared for her while she looked for her family.  When India found out about it- it actually softened tense relations between the two countries.  There are literally millions who have lost their identity in our world.  Human trafficking is a modern form of kidnapping and slavery.  The UN estimates 40.3 million victims globally.  That is eight times the population of South Carolina.  In the army the wear “dog tags” that identify their name, rank, and serial number.  There are DNA tests that tell us that someone may not be related to someone else- but often they do not give the true identity- but it can confirm a true identity.  Dental records- broken teeth, cavities filled, implants identify people.  Scars from an accident can help too.  We are identified by the pain we have had the missing teeth, the cavities, the scars. 
      When Jesus died and came back to the disciples- Thomas wanted to see the scars to identify him- I want to see the nail marks and side piercing- and maybe touch them.  So when Jesus appeared- he asked Thomas to touch his scars.  No one would put such scars on themselves for fun. 
     Some of the staff was talking about this graduating class- that they were born when 911 happened, and when they were seven the 2008 Great Recession happened, and now this- Caronavirus depression occurs.  There is no steady state.  They have been scarred, and it will effect the way they think, the way they turn or not turn to God, the way they pray and worship.  All of us, listening today have been scarred somewhat by this coronavirus thing.  I don’t have to rehash it- but sometimes it is good to name the demon- some have lost jobs, some have lost their graduation, some have lost their retirement savings in the stock market- or at least taken a huge hit, some have lost their cool- trying to live with family members without enough space, some have lost months of grandchildren or grandparent time, some have lost making and being with friends.  We are all seeing the limits of social media, facetime, and online things.  We miss human touch and shaking hands and hugging.  By the way, this is not new.  Where did we get the idea of isolation for two weeks?  In our passage Leviticus 13 it speaks to this. 
     But Leviticus 13 and even 1300 years later in the time of Jesus, there are standards for cleansing and opening back up.  Someone (in this case the priest) examines the victim of the infection and declares they are clean.  They are to wash, wash their clothes and offer a sacrifice.
     Now I want us to think about what this will be like we reach a point to come out.  It will not be when the virus is totally eradicated- that will not happen- even with a vaccine.  If you think of a vaccine- don’t think about a polio type vaccine that will totally keep it away- think of a virus vaccine like the flu that will help prevent and will keep the symptoms from being overwhelming.  So because it will not totally eliminate this dreaded sickness, many will just not come out.  .  But I want to encourage Christians to be courageous but cautious.  Be brave but do not be fool-hardy. 
     The resurrection, is kind of a type of what it will be like when we finally are coming out.   I specifically have Lazarus’s resurrection as our scripture today to learn some lessons.  So Jesus wept at Lazarus’ problem.  It is important to know God cares about our problem.  Almost all Christians believe that.  Some believe that God is weeping because we have gone so far from Him and we need to come back.  Some just believe God is weeping because of his sympathy.  But all believe God does not laugh at our misery.  Nowhere is this derisive laughing of God found in scripture.  Jesus weeps at our coronavirus time and the misery of human beings.  But not everyone believes God can or will help.  I believe God can and will.  Some of it is in the tools God gives us.  All the medicines we develop use parts that God has created.  All the vaccines that will come will use things that God has made no one creates stuff ex-nihilo (out of nothing) to help us.  In fact, a study by the National Laboratory of Homeland Security tested the virus with various treatments and it appears the very best treatment is sunlight or UV rays.  So what I am saying is that God has given us tools- and some of what we do is like finding an Easter Egg- we are looking for tools God has already put in creation to help us.  But also, God works through His Spirit- and prayer.  God comforts and strengthens with His presence.  When no one else is holding the patient’s hand- God is right there for those who believe in Him.  So Jesus came to Lazarus’s tomb and comforted His family with hope- but that was not all He did.  Surprisingly some well meaning relatives told Jesus to not come around.  After all it is unpleasant to deal with sickness and death- “there is an odor” Martha tells Jesus- because he has been dead for four days.   Jesus could have been afraid of the odor- it is unpleasant.  Jewish laws say that you can’t get near a dead person for cleanliness reasons.  Jesus didn’t listen.  He comes to us when we are sick, when we are miserable, when we are hard to be around and brings His love and comfort. 
     Jesus called to Lazarus to “Come Out.” The amazing thing is Lazarus was raised and heard the voice.  Now Lazarus could have decided not to come out.  After all he was wrapped all in grave clothes.  It was hard to walk.  He couldn’t move his arms to take off the cloth wrapping off his face.  He could have yelled back “I can’t!”  He could have said, “I’m afraid I’ll get hurt if I try!”  But I imagine if you have been raised from the dead you are not that afraid of getting hurt.  It probably took awhile for Lazarus to walk out- but he did!  Lazarus did come out and then Jesus’ second command was to unwrap him. 
      When we finally do come out of this corona-virus time- it will be like a resurrection.  We have been confined, we have been isolated, we have been alone.  Jesus will call us to come out- and then we should.  But just as Jesus rose from the dead with scars, and just as Lazarus came out with grave clothes all wrapped around him, so we will come out different than before.  The grave clothes- that hold us down- the restrictions will be with us when we first come out- but they will have to be taken off.  The scars on our hearts will be there.  They will identify us.
      My parents and my in-laws had lived through the Great Depression when they could not buy new clothes, fresh food, and they went around hungry and making the most of what they already had.  So my mother and my mother-in-law kept every pair of shoes they had ever bought, and were hesitant to throw away clothes that they no longer wore.  Some still hid money in the ground or under bed mattresses for years because they were afraid the banks would fail.  They were scarred.  Our nation is scarred.  We have a lot of debt to pay, a lot of people unemployed, a lot of businesses will be closed forever, and it is time to re-think things.  But do not be afraid- to come out. 
     Kind of a funny thing- but I think it is leftover in part from previous times in the lowcountry when disease was rampant.  You know Malaria was around SC until the early 1950s.  So my last church, when they had communion would cover the elements with a cloth.  The reason why is that they used to have to open the windows of the church and flies and mosquitos would light on the bread and cup- so they covered the elements.  Today with air conditioning- they still cover the elements with a kind of a pall- and a solemn part of communion was folding up the cloth before we partook.  Old habits die hard.  How we emerge from this will form habits for years to come.  So maybe we go back to drinking communion from small cups;  So maybe we don’t have a passing of the peace; So maybe if they say we can only have a certain number in the sanctuary we add another worship service- maybe at LMPC Fellowship Place?  So maybe our ushers don’t hand you bulletins.  Maybe a little while we will wear masks but I hope not for very long- seeing peoples’ faces and smiles is important. 
     I want to end with a reference to the Luke 5 passage that we read that I have so far ignored.  A leper- who was supposed to shout publicly “Unclean,unclean” came to Jesus.  He said, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”  This is something we should say to God- “Have mercy on us- heal our land- be willing to cleanse us Lord.”  Jesus not only said He was willing, but He touched the leper.  Now you are not ever supposed to touch a leper or you may yourself become unclean.  I remember visiting a leper colony in South Korea and we had to stay about ten feet away.  But Jesus the Healer healed the leper with His touch.  God comes to our uncleanness and touches us and makes us whole.  I believe He will do this again.  Then Jesus says, go show yourself to the priest to prove you are clean and be set free.  It is not just “You are free to go” but do the protocol.  So we, out of respect and care should do the protocol and listen to the health and governmental authorities.  They will make mistakes and we will make mistakes in how we try to fulfill their requests- there will be confusion- it will be ginger- like sticking a toe in freezing water for the first time this year- but let us try to keep the protocol.
      There are millions of people who do not know who they are. They have lost their identity.  They think that they are here randomly and chaotically with no purpose.  They do not know who their heavenly Father is.  We should not be afraid to claim our Father publicly in a world that has lost their identity.  Identify with the One who has scars.  You will have scars too.  Your tough times and scars and pain will mold and shape you to a certain extent.  Going through this coronavirus time will shape your identity too.  How you respond to it- is important.  Instead of simply withdrawing, look for ways to bring healing- sending cards, doing something for someone who can’t.  Maybe your elderly neighbor cannot get out, or needs help fixing something and cannot get a fixer to come help them.  But more than this simple stuff- let me give you a deeper identity challenge.  Identify with the One who has the scar marks in his hands and side.  Claim Him.  Proclaim Him.  In a world that does not know what to do- do not be ashamed of identifying yourself with Him. 

The Final Loneliness of Jesus

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.  About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud boice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" Which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me."...and when he cried again in a loud voice [probably saying "It is finished"] He gave up His spirit.  (Matthew 27:45,46, 50).

Thoughts: Pain- even with a lot of people around you is miserable.  Some people want to face their pain alone- while most want to face pain with others.  Jesus had the worst of both worlds- He had people watching His misery, mocking Him.  While others saw but were unable to help or speak comforting words because of the soldiers and pharisees who did not want Him to be comfortable or comforted.  Jesus faced the pain of the cross utterly alone.  He felt forsaken- even by the Father whom He knew so well and loved so much. 
    Of course Jesus was quoting from Psalm 22:1 which speaks of a a prayer from a man in terrible pain and loneliness.  Some say this cry was an indication of a deeper theological truth of bearing the sins of the world as a sacrificial lamb.  They would point out (as Calvin did) that hell is separation.   from God- and that separation- utter isolation and loneliness is what Jesus went through for us; because God who is pure cannot look on sin.  There is a lot of truth in this.  But I believe it is good today to think about the forsaken isolation and loneliness of Christ here.  He knows what it is like to be abandoned- Judas betrayed Him, Peter denied Him, all the disciples fled away, the people He loved mocked Him and crucified Him, and now as He went through the pain and heartache of the cross.  He was utterly alone. 
    I feel for those who have Covid 19 and cannot see friends and family- no one can hold their hand while they are sick or even while they die.  No preacher can come, no family member can say goodbye.  It is a terrible way to die if for no other reason than dying slowly without those who know and love you.  I have heard so many talk about how their elderly relatives and friends in nursing homes are so lonely because there can be no visitors.  Loneliness is not good for the immune system or the will to live.  To those who are going crazy in this time with loneliness and in isolation- Jesus understands- He has been there.  But, He was not isolated for health reasons, He was isolated out of meanness and evil intent. 
    If this were all there was to the story, it would be horribly sad.  But you know the end, and it was not found on the cross or the tomb.  There is Good News even in the cross- Jesus is our sacrifice and there is forgiveness, understanding, and grace found for us there.  But, perhaps the best news is that Jesus does not stay on the cross or in the tomb- but He breaks out.  But that is for tomorrow's devotional. 
    In the meantime, not only know that Jesus understands loneliness and isolation.  But also look for ways to help others in their loneliness and isolation too.

Prayer: Lord, in my loneliness, look on me with pity and mercy.  We turn to you with our whole heart and turn away from the sin that put you on the cross.  Have mercy on us, O Christ.  Heal our land, heal our souls, heal our spirits.

Jesus Alone in Prayer

There are three other times Jesus was alone in prayer with the Father.

1) Before choosing the Disciples he "went off to a solitary place"  (Luke 4:42).
2) At the Mount of Transfiguration- He was with Moses and Elijah in a cloud; the voice confirming that He should be heard as God's Son came; then it says, "When the voice had spoken , they found that Jesus was alone." (Luke 9:36).
3) He was praying in the Garden on the Mount of Olives (Gethsemane).  "He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed: "Father if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done." An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.  And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.  When he arose form prayer he went back to the disciples and found them asleep, exhausted by sorrow." (Luke 22:41-45)

Thoughts: Before every major event in His life, Jesus spent time isolated from others but alone with God.  In Luke 4 it was before he chose the disciples.  In Luke 9 it was before he changed his course and went to die in Jerusalem.  In Luke 22 he prayed before his arrest, torture, and crucifixion and resurrection.
In the fourth century a group of monks followed the example of Anthony the Great who spent about a third of his life as a hermit- alone. He was born rich but sold all and became an ascetic who ate only bread, salt and drank only water.  But he lived 105 years.  It was in his aloneness that he realized that sin did not stop just because he was alone.  You do not have to be a hermit to deal with sin.  In fact, our command to love calls us away from being alone in order to care for others if we can.
    But being alone in prayer was a regular practice of Jesus.  Isolation can seem torture- but it can also be a blessing if we can find time to be alone with God on purpose.  Isolation loses its torture if you find the blessedness of the presence of the Lord. 
    In the midst of tough times, like we are in now, it is time to pray.  Pray for mercy, repentance, for God's Spirit to be at work amongst the people.   Pray for those who work hard- the health care workers, staff, grocers, delivery workers, and others.  God wants us, when we are not called to be so distracted, to pray to Him.

(Heinrich Hoffman 1886) 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you embraced isolation as a chance to pray.  Help me to embrace Your Presence in my life.

Praying in the Sunshine

Today, the laboratory arm of Homeland Security confirmed what many had been hoping for anecdotally (based on the flu) that heat and humidity hinder the spread of the virus and sunshine is the absolute best killer of it!  God's UV rays are the secret weapon we've been looking for. 

Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer.  Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you.  Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.  Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of the light."  When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and his from them."  (John 12:35, 36)

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son purifies us from all sin."  (1 John 1:7)

Thoughts:  Jesus loved the sunshine.  We see him on the lake numerous times- where there are no trees to shade from the sun.  We see him looking on the open fields at the lilies and the birds on the Sermon on the Mount.  When he climbed the Mount of Transfiguration it was probably a mountain with few trees on it (at least the alleged mountain today is more like a mesa).
    He spoke about being the light of the world, and letting our light shine before others (Mt. 5:16) and that we are the light of the world- reflecting His light, as the moon the sun.   in
1 John 1:7- it speaks of the purifying (disinfecting) qualities of sun light. 
     But in John 12- Jesus spoke of believing in the light so we could become children of light.  As soon as He said this, Jesus retreated into isolation (hiding) from those who walked in darkness and were trying to kill Him.  It is hard to think of the light of the world hiding.  But Jesus hid in order to continue His ministry for awhile.  Isolation is something that we may have to do to continue to do the Lord's work for the longer run. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you are the light.  Thank you that light kills covid19 and your light kills the sin within me. 

EARTH DAY AND NO SCHOOL

So today is the 50th anniversary of "Earth Day."  Ironically, this was largely a creation of the educational system which is now shut down everywhere because of a different kind of environmental disaster- a global pandemic.   Twelve thousand schools took part in the first earth day, assuring its survival as an educational and secular observance.
    The Bible actually has a lot to say about valuing the earth.
1) Genesis 2:15- The Lord God puts human being to work and take care of His garden.  We are called as believers in God to be good stewards/caretakers of the earth.
2) Psalm 28:1- The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof.  All of the earth is God's creation and treasured possession.  The earth is not our Mother and God our Father, but God made the earth.  As such, we are to care for our Father's creation.
3) Psalm 121:1,2- "Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."  The God who made the earth is powerful to help us as well.  There are many more verses as well that point to our need to value the earth- as both a home and a special creation of God.
    So educating ourselves against pollution but more importantly how to make the best (non-selfish) and careful use of the earth's environment resources is important.  We will miss having schools rally for the earth today.  But it is still possible to celebrate individually and as families.  In South Carolina, the virus has shut down the schools for the rest of this year.  I know many teachers who know that this is best but are truly sad about missing their children and colleagues.  Jesus, by the way, was largely home-schooled (John 7:15).  But He could read, write, and teach in the rabbinic style.  There were synagogues in Galilee that had their bet-sefers (schools).  But Jesus was also schooled in the observance of God's providence.  So He valued the sparrows, and the lilies of the field, but He also valued all people.  People pollute and spread viruses, but still Jesus teaches us to value others as part of God's creation.  While people have the opportunity to spread disease, they also have been given skills and abilities to cure it- and no animal can claim that.  While people may pollute, they also can clean up.  While people may spread war, they also have the opportunity to work for peace.
     This world is not our only home.  But it is a bit like a first home that a young couple can barely afford to buy- "a fixer upper."  Then after repairing and paying down the loan they seek to get a bigger and nicer home.  One early Christian symbol was the hermit crab who goes from a small simple shell to a larger more beautiful one.  One day, those of us who believe, will have a home in heaven (those who do not believe would not open the door to go there).  Jesus says He goes there to prepare a place for us so that we may be with Him.  Our first home is also important- it is the only home we have while we have it.  We are to tend it.  But this home has viruses, disease, sickness, pain, tears, death, destruction and meanness.  Those things will be gone in our better home to come.  But in the mean time- let us work for the eradication of the destructive things in our current home.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to value this home- this earth.  Help me to make this world a better place while keeping an eye on my next home too

   

Alone in Grief and Prayer

This is from Matthew 14-
Note the sequence of events- John the Baptist was beheaded (6-12); Jesus went to a solitary place to rest and grieve (13, Mk. 6:31); The crowds followed and in compassion Jesus healed their sick (14); He fed the 5,000 (15-21); Many wanted to make Him King (Jn. 6:15); Jesus dismissed the crowds, sent the disciples on, and went back on the mountain to pray (22-23);
Jesus came to His disciples in power- walking on the water through the storm (24-25).

11John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother.  12Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus.  13When Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out about it and followed Him on foot from the towns. 14When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick...20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21About five thousand men were fed, in addition to women and children.

22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. 23After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, 24but the boat was already fara from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25During the fourth watch of the night,b Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea.

Two of the most well known miracles of Jesus were surrounded by prayer: the feeding of the 5,000 and the walking on the water (and calming the storm).  The first cause of Jesus retreating and praying is the death of his cousin, John the Baptist. He wanted to be by himself to grieve and pray.  But there was no time off for Jesus- he ended up healing the sick and feeding 5,000.  But he dismissed them and still went to the mountain to pray.  It is almost as if Jesus was yearning to be alone to pray.  In our time of isolation, we have more opportunities than ever to pray.  But we have two basic problems: 1) We need to see the need for it; 2) We are out of real practice and are unsure how to do it;
     When we are sad- as Jesus was- we need to pray.  When we want to be strengthened to do something for the glory of God- we need to pray.
      There are no rules to prayer.  Some use tools like the acronym ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication) to broaden the way we pray.  Some "PRAY" (Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield).  Some use prayer fingers (1. Family & Friends; 2. Leaders and teachers; 3. government and authority; 4. weak or sick; 5. myself last).  But the Bible- while pointing to these kinds of prayer does not say we should pray in such a way.  The Lord's Prayer is a great example of how to pray according to Jesus.  But there is always a certain mystery, flexibility, and grace in prayer.  I take the prayer list on the bulletin and the phone directory of the church and pray.  The main thing is just do it.  Make time and space.  This could be an opportunity to grow in your prayer life and find real strength in God.  Prayer can change me- and also change our environment.  Presbyterians believe in providence- which is that God governs us.  Prayer is asking Him for mercy, help- and Jesus asks us to petition God for what we need as a child would their father.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to pray.  Help me to find consolation in times of grief, and strength to do more than I can ask or even imagine.   

Jesus One on One

There are so many passages in the New Testament that point out that Jesus was in a crowd, yet he spoke to so many one on one.  In our time of isolation- we too can look for ways to be alone with someone else.

Here are some examples:
Mt. 15 The Canaanite woman- she said to him, "Even the dogs eat the crumbs from the table."
Mt. 17- A man prays for healing for his son's seizures "Lord have mercy on my son"
             "What do you think Simon [about the Temple tax]
The rich young man; the Pharisee who complained about the woman washing Jesus' feet; To Mary and Martha; to the woman who hemorrhaged [".  Who touched me?"]'  To Judas- "What you are about to do, do it quickly." Even one on one with the chief priest, Herod, and Pilate at His trial.  These are only a few.  Jesus managed to be alone and focused in a crowd to someone one on one.  It is a gift to listen and focus on others as Jesus was able to do.  He was always open to chance encounters.  Of course Jesus spent a lot of one on one time with Peter and the 12.
      Last week Kay and I were walking our dog and a deputy who lives in our neighborhood waived at us, and we waived back.  Then he circled the block and we introduced ourselves.  He asked if I was a preacher.  Then he asked me to pray for him.  That will be one of my treasured memories from this corona-virus time.  We prayed in the middle of the street (6 feet apart) for his protection and that God would surround him with his angels.
      One day I was in Publix. I had misplaced my mask so I had to go in maskless.  I never felt quite so exposed- everyone had a mask but me and the young workers.  I saw a church member in the toilet paper aisle.  I had found one pack misplaced on a top shelf.  He said he was looking for some TP.  I pointed him to the last remaining misplaced pack.  That is a good memory!
     But perhaps the best memories is spending extra time with the One God gave me 40 years ago- my wife.
      I have really missed seeing people one on one.  I have missed visiting visitors, and looking people in the eye, and being able to hold hands and pray together.  But I believe, if we are looking, we will be able to see opportunities that God puts in our path to make a difference for Him.

Prayer: Lord, help me to find a way to be one on one with others even in this time of separation.

4-20-20 Alone On Purpose to Pray

CORONA-VIRUS TIME DEVOTIONS

This week I wanted to look at the times Jesus was alone.  Yesterday we examined that Jesus went off to the desert (wilderness) to fast, pray, and face temptation.  He was not really alone- the devil was there and so were the angels who comforted Him after He passed the tests.  

Here is a great early passage from Mark’s Gospel that showed Jesus’ priorities:
Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

This verse has always meant a lot to me.  It encourages me to make time for God even if I have to get up before everyone else. I have since loved the sunrises and listening to the birds sing.  

I can remember taking a group from my church (LMPC) to Israel.  Getting up before sunrise on the Sea of Galilee is a beautiful sight.  I was seeing the topography Jesus saw when He got up to the sunrise alone with His Father.  (See Picture below I took)

In our time of isolation- this verse encourages us to be super-isolated. Don’t just be in your house with someone else; Don’t just be in your house zoning out to some movie, book, social media or podcast.  But be purposeful in improving your relationship and love for God.  Take time to be alone with God- just you, maybe the Bible and some prayer requests, and God.  Aloneness is not always a bad thing.  It can be a strengthening thing. 

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for your example of prayer and making alone time a priority. 

4-19-20 Alone at Last Naturally

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit to be alone in the desert to be tempted by the devil. He had gone without food for forty days and forty nights. (Matthew 4:1,2)

I wanted to explore this week the times that Jesus was isolated.
After Jesus was baptized and commissioned to go tell the people about repentance and the kingdom of God, He went to the desert alone to be tempted.  He prepared Himself for His real ministry by recognizing His bodily weaknesses- by fasting.  He prepared Himself by facing evil before He began to do good.
    Each time we take a vacation it is a breath of air to energize and prepare ourselves for what is just around the corner.  God gave us a Sabbath Day each week to re-energize, pray, worship, do deeds of love and mercy.
     This corona-virus time is different.  It is isolation and being alone.  But it can also be used to read, refresh, re-energize our souls.  Jesus' forty days were doubtless days of prayer and self-searching.  But He came face to face with evil in the form of the devil- an angel of darkness (not everything spiritual is good).  Our alone times during this corona-virus time help us to see who we are, where are spiritual weaknesses are, and also to grow in our reliance and faith in God.
      Jesus' temptations were to 1) Create physical comfort in an evil way; 2) Test the protection of God; 3) Worship false things instead of God to get worldly acclaim.
    Some of the temptations we face are to bargain with God.  God if you will keep me from this corona-virus thing then I will do this or that for you.  We may be tempted to be angry with God- blaming Him for the illnesses.  Or we may simply be tempted to give up on God altogether- leaving ourselves to our own devices.  But life is not all about physical comfort or health.  Jesus' fasting shows us this.  Fasting seems so foreign to us (unless a doctor tells us to do so), because we value the physical comforts of life so much.
    We could be tempted to test God.  IN our day it may be that we just think or act like God will protect us and we don't have to be careful.  So we don't socially distance or wear a mask or wash our hands.  Carelessness is not good.  We could be more careless when the virus was in China or California- but it is here now. 
    We could be tempted to give up on worship of God.  It takes some effort to go online and worship, or drive to a church drive in service.  There is no networking or face to face communication at church.  It is simply between us and God.
    Jesus was alone to face His temptation.  That is not a bad thing.  Sometimes in our loneliness we can be tempted to think God does not see what we face or He doesn't care.  But God sees and cares.  Again, if Google can tell you your commercial preferences for their ads, and see where you live, does not Almighty God know more? 
     Our times now are a challenge to our souls.  Face the challenge relying on God and knowing scripture (Jesus quoted it 3 times in facing His temptations).  In the end, Jesus was not alone.  The angels came and ministered to Him.  May they do that for you this week!

Prayer: Lord, in my aloneness, I face different temptations.  Help me to be faithful and abide in your love. 
 
 

4-18-20 Perseverance

1Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: 2“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

4For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God or respect men, 5yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests.’”

6And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge. 7Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? 8I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

Thoughts: We have lived in a very instant time.  We have traveled fast on our machines (cars, boats, truck, motorcycles) to wherever we want on decent roads (much better than most countries).  We have microwaves and air-fryers to make things heat up instantly.  We go to grocery stores that have our meat, dairy, produce, and sometimes toilet paper and medicine together to save time.  We can order with next day delivery- even on Sunday, Easter or Christmas.  We can text, email, facetime and get instant access. We don't understand smoke signals, stagecoach, and those who have to walk ten miles to get water.
    All of a sudden we must slow down.  No one predicted this four months ago.  No futurist saw it.  There were movies- "Contagion" and "The Ship" but what they don't say is how people hunker down for weeks and months on seemingly cold-syrup-drip time.  We have forgotten Sabbath, and have forgotten what it is like to wait on the Lord or have to persist in prayer.  

     This parable from Luke 18 about the persistent widow is really a lesson on not giving up in prayer; and not giving up on God.  Persistence and perseverance are things Jesus taught us by example and by words.  When others give up shortly we are put here to hold the line in prayer.
     Today I went to Walmart to the pick up line.  That in itself was amazing.  It took 4 weeks to get this appointment.  When I and my dog drove up to the pickup rendezvous point my app that said my order was waiting all of a sudden said my order "had been cancelled."  I went ballistic.  The Walmart guy carrying groceries out to people said I needed to leave my dog and go inside.  I went inside- one manager said I needed to talk to a specific manager who wasn't there and six people were in six-feet-apart-socially-distanced-lines to see him ahead of me.  So I gave up. As I was leaving another employee said, "Sir I saw what happened.  I am sorry.  I'll call a manager."  I had prospects of relief- but... no manager after five minutes.  Started back to the car where the original Walmart guy said, "Is the name Sloan?"  He said, give me three minutes.  He went in- got the order and came back.  He said, "Someone pushed the wrong button."  I was so happy!  I still could not have shopped and gathered it any faster than I waited.  You would think I have learned patience.  I am afraid I have learned that "I should be patient" which is different. I was only persistent because one person after another stopped or steered me.  Prayer may feel like it is successful then irrelevant; breaking through then bouncing off the ceiling.  Jesus said to not give up- and so, reluctantly I will try for this impatient person to be patient.
    This corona-virus time is making us wait, making us either give up or persevere.  It is so hard in any society- but especially an instant society to wait on the Lord, to practice Sabbath, to pray with persistence.  But perhaps God is teaching us that.

Prayer: In this time of waiting, when the corona-virus doesn't seem to go away, plateau, or flatten fast enough- help me to be patient and persistent in prayer.