Second Friday of Advent Daily Devotion

Second Friday of Advent

Reading: Grab your bible and read Habakkuk 3:2-6

Reflection:

How do you respond to Habakkuk’s vision of God? It is an awesome picture of power, judgment and glory, and it fits well within the message of this Old Testament prophet who was aware that a time of judgment was coming on his nation. In our world, it may feel a bit out of sync, though. It can be hard to put together these glorious visions of God with the image of God that Jesus revealed - but it is important to do this work. There is so much that can be said about this, but perhaps the most important is to recognize that Habakkuk’s vision of God is not a contradiction to the God we see in Christ.

Jesus made it clear to us that the heart of God is grace and love, and so even these powerful visions of God should be seen in this light. What can help us in this work is to recognize that whenever God expresses judgment against people in the Scriptures, it is because of human injustice.

What this means for us is that our relationship with God cannot be separated from the struggle for justice in the world. In some way we are called to connect our daily choice to follow Christ with God’s desire for a world of love and justice. This is why Jesus’ message of the Reign of God is so important. On our own we may not be able to make much difference, but as we contribute our time, talents and treasures toward the work of God’s Reign, our small contribution is added to the work of God’s people everywhere, and it does make a difference.

In what ways can you imagine the sight of God coming to judge injustice in our world? How does this fit with Jesus’ concern for the poor and marginalized? How does God’s desire for a world of justice impact your understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ? How can you contribute today, in some small way, to the work of God’s Reign?

Prayer:

Almighty God,

Some of the visions we see of you in the Bible are really frightening, and I find myself uncertain of how these visions fit with the way you showed yourself in Jesus. But, I know that behind your acts of mercy and your acts of judgment are the same motivations - grace, love and the longing for justice in the world you created. Teach me how I can be part of your compassionate Reign in my daily life, and strengthen me to use what resources I have in service of you and others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Second Friday of Advent Daily Devotion

Second Thursday of Advent Daily Devotion

Second Thursday of Advent

Reading: Grab your bible and read Philippians 3:7-11

Reflection:

The message that John the Baptizer preached was one of preparation for the Coming One. Then when Jesus came, his work was to invite us into the life of God. It is this life that the Apostle Paul celebrates in his letter to the Philippian church. Written toward the end of Paul’s life, this letter reflects a longing for intimacy with God that had not diminished throughout Paul’s life and ministry, in spite of the many hardships he had endured. In his life, the ministries of both John and Jesus had done their work!

In this Advent season, we do well to reflect on our own experience of God and God’s life. We may want to ask ourselves whether we share the longing that Paul expresses whether the message of God’s life has taken root so fully in our own hearts. The wonderful opportunity that this season offers us is to nurture our longing for God, and to remember again that God is always coming to us, always available to us, and that, if we desire intimacy with God, we need only make the time and space for it to happen.

In what ways do you feel a longing for more of God’s presence and life? How does that longing show itself in your life? In what ways can you nurture your desire for God, in order to grow into a deeper relationship with God? How can this Advent season help you to do this?

Prayer:

O Loving God,

You know how much I long to know you more. You know my desire to be closer to you and to love you more. I know that this longing is a good thing, and that, in one sense it will never be satisfied, because there is always more of you to get to know. Teach me to nurture my love for you in small daily acts of worship. And teach me to let my love for you be seen in my life so that it may stir a longing for you in others. Amen.

Second Thursday of Advent Daily Devotion

Second Wednesday of Advent Daily Devotion

Reading: Grab your bible and read Luke 1:5-17

Reflection:

John the Baptizer was born to be the forerunner of Christ. It all sounds so easy when we read it in the Gospels, but for Elizabeth and Zechariah the experience of being challenged by God’s call, of being confronted with God’s messenger while burning incense, of becoming parents-to-be in their old age, and of carrying the weight of this child’s significance through the pregnancy and then through John’s childhood could not have been easy!

It is always like this when we respond to God. It may be tempting to think that following Jesus is meant to make life “work”, meant to take away all struggle and pain and sacrifice from us, but the Scriptures give a very different picture. The life God offers is indeed full and vibrant and meaningful, but it does not get this way by putting us in some “bubble” away from the realities of the world. Rather, it is as we engage the pain and struggle of the world, as we offer our lives in service of God and others, as we learn to live out of God’s call, and help others to encounter the God who seeks to welcome them into God’s amazing reign, that we discover abundant life. Elizabeth and Zechariah took on a huge responsibility when they were called to be Johns parents, but with all of the struggle, work and heartbreak they also knew God’s presence and life in a way that they could never have done any other way. If their son was faithful in fulfilling his calling, it must have been, at least in part, due to the courage and faithfulness of his parents!

In what ways is God asking you to take on new responsibilities or challenges for the sake of God’s reign? What struggles may you have to endure as you seek to follow Christ? How can you learn to embrace God’s abundant life in the midst of service and sacrifice, rather than by trying to escape from the world’s difficulties? Can you commit to one thing today?

Prayer:

God, sometimes I wish you wouldn’t call me to be part of what you are doing in the world. Sometimes I wish you would just swoop in like Superman, fixing everything and leaving me to just watch in amazement. But, you don’t work like that do you? You ask for human hands and wombs, human voices and hearts to be the channels of your grace and love - and sometimes the human “resources” you seek are mine.

Help me to embrace the challenge of being a participant in your coming into the world, into the lives of the people around me. And help me to willingly give myself in whatever ways you may ask of me, to serve and love you and others. Amen.

Second Wednesday of Advent Daily Devotion

Second Tuesday of Advent Daily Devotion

Second Tuesday of Advent

Reading: Grab your bible and read Psalm 27

Reflection:

Though life sometimes gets very hard and painful, and we feel threatened by forces beyond our control, the Psalms offer the comfort of knowing that God’s people have always had to navigate these realities. In today’s reading, the Psalmist finds refuge in an intimate relationship with God, knowing that nothing that can happen will ever be able to severe the deep connection that God’s people have with God.

Three wonderful gifts arise from sheltering in God in this way. Firstly, the Psalmist discovers that worship becomes a source of life even in the midst of the turmoil. Secondly, flowing from the act of worship, prayer flows easily and honestly, because the Psalmist knows that God is near and is always caring. Finally, out of prayer, flows a confidence in God’s ability to bring life and joy even in the darkest of situations. These gifts were, essentially, what John the Baptizer was offering to the people as he prepared them for Christ’s coming. They were living in difficult times, and were longing for God to come and deliver them. John assures them that in the midst of the turmoil, God has not forgotten God’s people, and that they will know God’s presence, God’s confidence and God’s protection no matter what outward circumstances they may have to face, because God’s Sent One is soon to be walking among them!

In what ways do you need to be reminded of God’s gracious and sustaining presence today? How can you best open yourself to God’s presence and comfort? Alternatively, who might need you to be a John to them, reminding them that God has not forgotten them, but is coming to strengthen and save them? How can you best offer this message to them?

Prayer:

God, even in the most difficult times, you are always coming to me, always bringing your comfort and shelter for me to take refuge in. Thank you!

Help me to trust in you even when life gets hard and painful. And help me to find ways to be the agent of your grace and comfort to others who need your healing touch. In the many names of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Second Tuesday of Advent Daily Devotion

Advent 2B, Dec 4, 2011 Sermon

Sermon based on the Revised Common Lectionary - Advent 2B - Mark 1.1-8 at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI ~ Rev. Steph Maxson, Pastor

You may find an i-pad version by clicking here.

Advent 2B, Dec 4, 2011 Sermon

Second Monday of Advent Daily Devotion

Reading: Grab your bible and read Acts 2:37-42

Reflection:

The confidence and humility which John and Jesus displayed continued to be seen in the new community which formed around Jesus message and mission. They knew that if they were to continue the work that Jesus had given them, they needed to do it together, with each one taking their proper place, and using their unique abilities in harmony with others. The result of this way of life was an amazing impact on the people around them.

It can be tempting when we are part of a community to fade into the background and allow others to do the work. It can also be tempting to take control of the things we are passionate about, and keep others from sharing or participating effectively for fear that they may “step on our toes”. But, something miraculous happens when we embody, together, the life and message of Christ: it literally changes the world! John the Baptizer may have been the messenger heralding the coming of Christ, but we are all, together as Christ-followers, messengers of the coming of Christ’s reign - Gods new community of love and grace – into our world.

In what ways can you share, co-operate with and help others in your community as you, together, seek to share the life and message of Jesus? Where might you need to step up and take your role with greater sacrifice and commitment? Where might you need to step back a bit and make space for others? In what ways can your participating in a Christ-following community help to demonstrate God’s reign to your neighborhood?

Prayer:

God of Grace and Love,

It’s good to be on this journey of life and faith with others, but sometimes I feel like it would be easier if I just left it all to them. Other times I feel like I wish they would just let me do what I know I’m good at and stop getting in my way. But, you have called me to be part of a community, and part of my journey means learning to live and share and participate with others.

So, please teach me how to belong and how to help others to belong. Teach me to share in whatever way I can in the life and work of your new community. And teach me to take my part in showing your grace and love to the world. In the many names of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Second Monday of Advent Daily Devotion

Second Sunday of Advent Daily Devotion

Second Sunday of Advent

Reading: Grab your bible and read Mark 1:1-8

Reflection:

The man, John, is an important figure, both in the Gospel story and in our learning to follow Jesus. In Mark’s Gospel there is no dramatic narrative telling of his unique birth and no clear mention of his relationship with Jesus. There is just this strange man who comes, at it were, out of nowhere with a manner and a way of dressing that would immediately have evoked images of the Old Testament prophets in the minds of his hearers. He catches peoples attention, but he doesn’t draw attention to himself. His whole purpose is to point the crowds to another, more important person to come. He is there for no other reason than to prepare people for Christ, and when his job is done, he simply slips into the background again.

There is a tremendous confidence and a tremendous humility represented by John. He was confident in who God had called him to be and in the job he was to do. But, he was humble enough not to let this go to his head, not to claim more for himself than was his right, and not to resist letting go of the attention of the crowds when his time was up. He knew his task, and he did it - no more, no less.

Which raises some challenging questions for us. We may not be Johns or Christs. We may not have any kind of public platform, or any task to do that holds such global significance. But, we are all called and we all have a part to play in God’s reign. So, who are you in Christ? What has God given you to do for the sake of God’s reign? How good are you at judging when to act and when to retreat, when something is yours to do, and when your task is to stand back for others? In what ways can you be more intentional this week at fulfilling God’s call on your life?

Prayer:

O God,

Who is always preparing me for the coming of your reign, " and who is always calling me to help others prepare, " teach me what you would have me do; Do not let me hide or despise my particular gifts or tasks, And nudge me when I need to get out of the way " and let others do the work; Most of all, help me to have confidence in who you have called me to be, " and the humility simply to be myself. ~ Amen

Second Sunday of Advent Daily Devotion

First Saturday of Advent Daily Devotion

First Saturday of Advent

Reading: Grab you bible and read: Mark 11:27-33

Reflection:

There will always be those who want to control God’s work in God’s people. There will always be those who challenge the work that God is doing. Many of these resisters will be those who believe that they speak in God’s name, and it can be tough to stay faithful to the vision of God’s reign in the face of this opposition. Jesus knew what this felt like, but as he was challenged on the question of authority, he pointed to John. The religious leaders, although they had not taken John’s message to heart, knew what an impact he had, and how strong his following had been, and they could not risk the displeasure of the people. So, they give Jesus a lame answer which entitles Jesus to refuse to answer their question of his own authority. It was a confident Jesus, secure in his message and mission that could do this.

For us the challenge of this story is twofold. Firstly, we need to ask ourselves, like the religious leaders, whether we accept the authority of John’s and Jesus’ message. This is not just about an intellectual idea that we agree with. It’s about how we will orient our lives – will we allow God’s reign to be the defining force for us? Then, secondly, we are challenged to stand along with Jesus in the confidence that God’s reign gives us as we seek to bring God’s grace, peace, love and justice into our world.

Where could you use a little more of God’s confidence as you seek to follow Christ? In what ways can your life embody the message of God’s reign a little more? How can you open your heart to God’s presence today, so that God can inspire and empower you?

Prayer:

It’s a scary thing to be asked to follow you, Jesus. Sometimes my love for you brings me into confrontations with others who don’t embrace your values, or don’t believe in your ways. Sometimes people accuse me of doing things I have no right to, or they claim I’m in over my head - and sometimes they may even be right! But, all I want to do is follow you, Jesus, and live out, in my small way, the principles of your reign. Keep me strong and faithful, Jesus, and please let your grace and truth be seen in me. Amen.

First Saturday of Advent Daily Devotion

First Friday of Advent Daily Devotion

First Friday of Advent

Reading:

Grab your bible and read Jeremiah 4:1-10

Reflection:

Jeremiah was a young man called by God to be a prophet. At his call, God assured him that God had known him and called him since before he was born. His life was no accident - it was shaped by God for a purpose. We see the same truth at work in all of God’s servants throughout the Scriptures, right up to John the Baptizer. As the old saying goes, when God calls, God also equips.

There is a challenge here for every Christ-follower. As we reflect on our lives, we can see the gifts and abilities that God has built into us, and we can, if we so choose, seek to use them for God’s purposes - as our unique way of speaking God’s message of love and justice.

What are the gifts which you have already offered to God, and how is God using them? What gifts have you still not given to God’s purposes? Are there any ways you can allow your abilities to be used more to speak God’s gracious message in your world? Why not pick one to focus on today?

Prayer:

You know me so well, O God - after all, you formed me and placed within me the unique combination of gifts and traits that make up who I am. Help me now to honor you by using my gifts to speak - in word and action - the gracious, life-giving message of your reign, in whatever small ways I can. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

First Friday of Advent Daily Devotion

First Thursday of Advent Daily Devotion

First Thursday of Advent

Grab Your Bible and Read: Psalm 85.1-2, 8-13

Reflection:

Today the focus shifts toward preparing for this coming Sunday, which introduces us to the messenger of God’s coming, John the Baptizer. Psalm 85 encourages God’s people to listen to God’s message of peace, and to allow it to shape their lives. It celebrates God’s reign of justice and righteousness, and how these two attributes prepare the way for God’s coming. This, of course, was the work that John did - challenging people to confront themselves, change & commit to God’s ways in preparation for God’s coming.

The temptation here is to become legalistic and make our work of preparation and righteousness the necessary ingredient for God’s coming to us. In Christ we now know that nothing we do can earn God’s presence or approval, so it’s not about that. Rather, the challenge of this Psalm, and of the Advent season, is to allow God to come into our lives fully so that we are truly changed. Then, as we begin to reflect God’s character in our lives, we become heralds of God’s coming to others, because they experience God’s grace, God’s peace and justice in and through us.

In what ways can you listen more carefully to God’s message of peace and justice? How do you experience “love and truth meeting” and “righteousness and peace kissing” in your own life? How can you open your life even more to allow God’s word to take root in your soul this Advent?

Prayer:

As you speak your words of peace, O God, may they settle into my heart. As you speak your words of love and justice, may they become the rhythm to which my life moves. And as you speak to me, O God, may your words also be heard through me. In Jesus’ name we pray. ~Amen.

First Thursday of Advent Daily Devotion