Good Morning Friends,
As usual we are taking the lectionary passages and trying to weave them together into a meaningful message. And today’s is about faith and the challenge of faith in the communities in which we live and work. For sometimes even the best leadership is ignored or worse yet feared as happened to Jesus in Nazareth. One would think that the people of Nazareth would celebrate Jesus but instead most of them reject him. Maybe they thought him crazy smart or just crazy. Maybe they decided his authority was demonic. Maybe they had fixed his status and questioned the legitimacy of his father and the limits of his low status as a laborer. Maybe they had too much baggage. But what I think is happening is the formation of faith even in their doubts. So, have you ever wondered why faith should be so difficult? Sometimes we put too much emphasis on numbers and what we have done, when the focus needs to be on love and the Spirit and what God has done. We get confused about faith and what it means. God gave it all to us and frankly when we count all the good stuff we do and what we might consider the bad stuff of others, we may be misjudging God and making false assumptions about what best should drive us emotionally and spiritually. We have a choice in how we will approach God and others if our eyes are open and our mind aware to the possibility of peace in just about everything. For sure it requires character, perspective that is focused, and courage but also the strategic favor of God to witness effectively…to glorify God in challenging situations.So, What Motivates You To Have Greater Faith?
Scripture: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children— “My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.” Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled.
Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15 (NRSV)
He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching.
Mark 6:1-6 (NRSV)
All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
Acts 1:14 (NRSV)
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
John 20:28 (NRSV)
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
John 21:15-17 (NRSV)
Message: Ok, today’s question about faith is a challenge for it is intertwined in our minds with emotions and ultimately whether we love God and believe God loves us. There are all sorts of reasons to be discerning and sometimes cautious, and certainly we need to count the costs, but we also need to take enough risks to step out in faith, for even our suffering can be of benefit for the Kingdom. Ponder the tears of Mary at the Cross and how she was later gifted with the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room. Consider the failure of Peter the night Jesus was betrayed around a fire where he denied him three times and after the resurrection at a fire where Jesus cooked a fish and forgave Peter. Consider the doubt of Thomas as he poked his finger into the hole in Jesus’ side and his profound declaration of faith, saying “My Lord and my God”. They each demonstrate a pathway to having greater faith put into action in the power of the Holy Spirit. Notice how doubt, failure and tears are all turned into a hope of greater faith. Jesus leadership is so critical here for us too. So, in reflecting on today’s scripture I think it is calling us to believe in the possibility of a faith that leads to hope and abides in love without fear but truth in abundance to humble us. Still, ultimately, we will interpret what happens in retrospect. A miracle in our lives and in the scripture today is not just an event, but it is an interpreted event. So too is leadership. For if Jesus is not regarded to be capable of healing, any healing that does happen will not be attributed to him. Perhaps there is nothing here to see. But hold on, if we do attribute the possibility of peace to God then rejoice in praise. The one who changes everything is at work in our midst. Jesus’ whole ministry calls us to live a life victorious, to experience with optimism and share the more excellent way, to bear the fruits of the Spirit, to be filled with the fullness of God through the eyes of love guided by the Spirit. Our motivation must start with a vital connection with God and be a response to the simple fact that Jesus is worthy whether we are doubting or acting out of faith…whether the Spirit is convicting us or comforting us. Love is to be the chief motivator for the Christian and sometimes it is tough love and sometimes gentile but it all should move us in the direction of glorifying God. Doubt is not the opposite of faith here. Asking hard questions can lead to faith. It was for C.S. Lewis and others. Thomas in the Bible is much maligned for his doubts but is ultimately an example of faith. Friends, unbelief is the opposite of faith and God does not condemn us for inner uncertainty. God meets us where we are. Those struggling with God are demonstrating a sure sign that the faith they have can grow. Believing is hard work and is sometimes filled with discipline and trials. John the Baptist had doubts. Peter had doubts. Doubt can be the prelude to a growing faith. God can and will use it all.
And So, faith grows in all sorts of ways out of our tears and failures and doubts. Sometimes suffering is really God disciplining us so that we choose to take the cure that lies in the imitation of Jesus, who endured so much more that we have to face. Friends we need loving discipline for without it we tend to settle down into comfortable routines where the slightest felt difficulty or frustration irritates us. And yes, I see that big time where I live. There is a difference between having wealth and working hard and having the peace of Christ. Indeed, most everybody is as lazy as they dare to be. The only difference that makes some of us work harder is that we are gifted with the imagination to look farther ahead and see doom catching up with us. There is a core of suffering in every joy that motivates our faith in and love of God..
Pray we learn to trust God. Pray that we receive and share a perfect love that casts out fear. Pray that we realize that acts of control stifle the work of the Spirit, but that discipline and trials might be the prelude to spiritual growth. Pray we realize that without some faith it is impossible to please God. Pray we realize that success is having a relationship with God. Pray therefore that we act to restore proper relationships with God and others as an act of faith. Pray we not just respond to the problems of the world but help to prevent them. Pray that we stop being so prejudiced. Pray we not count on our strength so much but look to God for strength. Pray we welcome Jesus into our lives and homes and communities. Pray we believe and belong to a fellowship that believes. Pray we appreciate God’s undeniable leadership in freeing us and forgiving us. Pray that we realize that both faith and forgiveness are miracles. Pray that we get ready for a new season that will change our lives forever. Pray that we walk through life’s transitions with grace. Pray we risk enough to forgive. Pray that we become more holy each day. Pray that we have received grace so that we might bestow it. Pray we cross over into new thinking that realizes that God’s plan is for spiritual victory. Pray we are transformed even through our suffering. Pray we live a victorious Christian life. Pray our motivation is to glorify God. Pray we do not fear Jesus’ leadership. Pray we do not take our focus off God. Pray that our faith grows through our tears, failures and doubts.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 