Romans 22-23 “For I  delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.”

This passage of Romans was written just for me, I am sure of it!  When I am in full conflict between my flesh and the Spirit I cannot imagine that anyone else could be so self-tortured as me.  I started this morning in Chapter 40 of Ezekiel where the tables and vestibules for sacrifices are described.  There are tables for the burnt offering and tables for the sin and guilt offering.  I am certain I would be at that temple every day if I were completely honest with myself.  As it described the pegs that go all around the table for the flesh to lay on I could only picture Jesus, the one sacrificial lamb for all, lying on that table.  He willingly sacrificed his life, a lamb led to slaughter, for my sins and guilt.  It is by this gift of life that I can continue to delight in the law of God without cowering in the corner or really getting blood on my hands.  As I seek escape from the torment I realize that true freedom is at my fingertips.  Nothing will free me but Christ and his Spirit.  As I step closer to releasing the old self and embracing the new, it is only in his Holy Grace that I can find the strength to do this.  He is my redeemer and my sustainer.  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Lord,

You know our hearts and yet you desire a deep and true relationship with us.  Thank you for sending your son to show us how to be in relationship with you.  Thank you for destroying the barrier through Jesus ultimate sacrifice.  As we seek freedom, help us find it in you.  Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 “So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober”

Winter is a season of waiting.  So many things are resting, sleeping and dormant during winter.  Animals burrow down and sleep deeply.  The trees, grass and flowers are all “dead” for the season.  We were just waiting for the Christ child to be born and now we wait for the story to continue in the wise men’s visit.  Waiting can be tiring in its own right.  It is tempting to rest and close our eyes, to lay back and take a nap while we wait.  This verse reminds us that we are to stay alert and ready.  Whether you are waiting for the story to continue, waiting on the Lord for direction or waiting for the Lord to come again, we are to wait in a state of readiness.  There is time to sit and be still, but even then we are not idle.  We listen with all our hearts and with deep intention.  Know and trust that in the midst of winter, far beneath the frozen cold ground, life is still unfolding.  The seeds that were planted by the wind or by hand are doing what they need to do, preparing to burst forth in the warmth of spring.  Wait with me.  While we wait let us stay awake, let us pray for each other and let us remember that life is unfolding even now.  Let’s be ready to take hold when it bursts forth.

Lord,

Winter has just started but in you, life is eternal.  There is no death, only a time of waiting.  Help us stay awake, help us see you and do what you guide us to do each day while we wait.  May our words and our deeds give glory to you.  Amen.

Psalm 37::40 “The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.”

Life is filled with choices.  As I raise my children I try to narrow the choices for them without taking choices away completely because they need to learn how to make wise choices.  I hear myself reminding them occasionally “make wise choices” when they are about to make a choice that is not so wise.  The parallel of my relationship as a parent to my children and God as a parent to me as his child is not lost on me.  As I look back on my life it is crystal clear to me how many times God stepped in and rescued me from mayhem when I finally called on him.  The excitement of stepping out of bounds as a youth, of bending the rules a bit always led to trouble I did not foresee.  Inevitably, after a bad choice, I ended up broken and battered, seeking refuge in my heavenly parent.  God is faithful to those who seek him.  What I am just beginning to realize is that He is faithful to us in whatever moments we seek him, knowing we will stray again.  I cannot imagine the freedom I will rejoice in when I shed this earthly body and begin to shine in true and holy righteousness when I am joined with the Almighty.  Until then, I take refuge in him, and he continues to rescue me and save me from myself.

Lord,

It seems the battle of the wills never ends.  Please forgive me.  I cannot promise to never to it again, I know that would be a lie.  I do promise to seek you, to abide in you and to pray without ceasing as much as I possibly can with your help.  Each day is one day closer to glory beyond words.  Until then, help me be the person you created me to be.  Amen.

Luke 24:49 “And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Scripture tells us the Holy Spirit is our guide and our comforter. This is the power from on high that Jesus instructed his disciples to wait for.  This Spirit calls us into action for the Lord and warns us to stay true to the straight and true path of God.   As we close out another year and get really to start a new one it is common to review our past and set goals for the future.  I don’t know what God has in store for me but I ponder it.  The path He has led me on is nothing I would have ever guessed and so I am in a time of waiting, just as these disciples were instructed to wait.  How often have I made plans that are, in hindsight, laughable?  I cannot count them!  I cannot count the times I have prayed for a map or a blueprint so I could just follow that.  I am learning, very slowly, to wait on the Lord.  I am learning, slipping and sliding, to hear and follow the guidance of the Spirit.  I trust that the power from on high will keep me from harm and will guide my steps, my actions and my words to bring glory to the Kingdom of God. 

Lord,

You know waiting is hard for me.  I know you call me to wait.  Please send word to me soon and open my eyes and my heart to see the works you do in me every day.  I know you have plans for each of us, help us hear and follow those plans you have made.  I seek to serve you Lord.  Amen.

Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

I know there have been a few opportunities in the last weeks for me to hold a door for someone whose arms were full or carry a package or box for someone trying to balance so many things.  I see people helping elderly or disabled people across icy parking lots and supporting them as they walk on uneven ground.  Cooking meals for someone who is ill or taking their kids for a day so they can rest is a simple way to lift a burden from another person.  There are so many tangible ways to fulfill the law of Christ by bearing another’s burdens.  I have found that praying for them is as powerful as any tangible assistance I give.  The power of prayer not only changes the person I am praying for but it also changes me. Being in the presence of the Almighty is always renewing and healing and when I move out of prayers for others I feel burdens lifted from my heart as well.  I want to encourage all of us to reach out and ease the burdens of others.  Open the door for someone; help someone with their heavy bags of groceries.  Give some groceries to someone who does have any.  Most of all lift those you love and those you don’t love in prayer.  I will pray for you and I ask that you pray for me.  As we bear each other’s burdens, we abide in Christ’s love ...love your neighbor as yourself.

Lord,

You call us to look for the least of these and serve them.  Help us to see the burdens we can bear for others and encourage us to step forward in assistance.  Teach our hearts to pray for those we do not know as well as our neighbors and friends so that the power of your love is spread to all through prayer.  Amen. 

Matthew 1:12 “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.”

The wise men that come from afar intrigue me.  They are men of mystery.  I have read a lot of conjecture about where these men came from and who they might have been but does it really matter?  We know they are foreigners who study the stars.  They have some understanding of scripture; they ask Herod “where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?”  Regardless of their beliefs, the desire and need to come and see this king draws them in.  They open themselves to the divine presence of God from wherever their journey brings them. Verse 11 says they knelt down and paid him homage.  They present precious gifts to a king who does not rule their nation.  These foreigners hear our Lord, the God of Israel, the God of all, speak to them in a dream and they listen.  Throughout the bible God uses dreams to guide and speak to people.  How does God speak to you?  Are you open to receive and hear the Divine?  We have come to the stable and seen the precious babe but what do we do now?  As the days of Christmas begin to fade away, let us remember the guidance of God never fades.  Seek him and when you find him, open your heart to hear what he will say to you.

Lord,

Help us not only hear but truly listen to you.  You step into our lives and take our hands and hearts to lead us safely home, if only we would follow.  Close our ears to the voices of deception so we can clearly hear your true voice.  Thank you for guiding the wise men.  Thank you for guiding us.  Amen.

1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”

This morning I sit in humble gratitude for the abundance of blessings I have in my life.  I am surrounded by a circle of family and friends that astound me.  I am surrounded by joy, peace, support and love.  I have the freedom to grow and challenge and question.  I have a warm home and I lack for nothing.  All these things are visible and tangible to me because of love.  Without love how would I view my family and friends?  What difference would my freedom make if I have no love?  This Divine Love that came to a manger in Bethlehem so many years ago changed our world forever.  Love came to dwell among us, to live with us and to draw us into a gentle embrace that never ends.  There are struggles and hardships in many homes and places today.  My heart lifts the love of God to those places, those homes and those hearts.  I simply hope in the love of God.  I have faith that He will spread his love throughout every land, every time and every space.  I hear his call to me and to others to know his love.   We are the bearers of this torch.  We, who hold his love in our hearts, are called to share his love.  Empty the anger, sadness, envy, selfishness from your heart and allow those spaces to be filled with Divine Love.  On this day of gifts, receive the greatest gift and then share it with others so we may all abide in Love.

Lord,

Without love I know I am nothing.  Without love I cannot do anything.  Remove the seeds of apathy and mistrust.  Weed out selfishness and discontent so that I have more room for your love.  Help me be a torch bearer of love shining your light and life, your love for all to see.  Amen.

Merry Christmas!