Category: Year C

1 Peter 3:8-12

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            Hard circumstances tend to bring out the worst in many people.  When difficulty arises in a group it is just human nature that they either try and run like a bunch of rats from a sinking ship, or they turn on each other and chew on one another, again, like a bunch of rats.  It’s what psychologists call the ‘fight or flight syndrome.’  But there is another alternative.  The Apostle Peter said that, when in the throw of suffering, Christians should be like-minded, sympathetic, love each other, embrace compassionate behavior, and humility.  They should not turn to evil in dealing with their frustrations, but ought to do the very opposite:  bless each other.
 
            If we want to be happy no matter what the circumstance, then we will listen to Peter and the psalmist who say:  “Do you want to be happy?  Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies.  Give up your evil ways and do right, and find and follow the road that leads to peace.  The Lord watches over everyone who obeys him, and he listens to their prayers.  But he opposes everyone who does evil.”
 
            Well, there you have it.  Now it is a choice of whether we will obey the Scripture, or give in to our sinful nature by devouring others whom we have issues.  Which will you choose?
 

 

            Gracious God, you have chosen me to be your child and inherit all your very great and precious promises.  Help me to live into my position as your son, and be consistent in responding to suffering by blessing others, through the power of the Holy Spirit for the sake of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Psalm 10

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
One cannot go through life without having to deal with evil in the form of two-faced people.  It’s just part of the human condition to experience it.  The O’Jays sang about such persons in their 1972 song, Backstabbers: 
(What they do!)
(They smile in your face)
All the time they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
(They smile in your face)
All the time they want to take your place.
 
            The psalmist knew such people all too well.  “They curse and tell lies, and all they think about is how to be cruel or how to do wrong.”  Outwardly they feign friendship while inwardly they sneer and plot how to destroy.  But the reality is that God sees all of it, both inside and out.  And God will act.
 
            Meanwhile, until God dispenses his will on both the evil and the good, the righteous remain hopeful and confident that their cries are being heard and that divine protection will prevail.  “You listen to the longings of those who suffer.  You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help.”
 
            It was the Apostle Paul who said: “Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good” (Romans 12:21).  The way to face down the presence of hard-hearted people is to:  1) cry out to God in prayer; and, 2) not be passive or take revenge, but actively work for good.  If we can encourage one another with these two things, it will go a long way toward spreading God’s kingdom in our communities.
 

 

            Just God, you defend those who are vulnerable and in need.  You will act so that no one on earth can terrify others again.  Shoo the bullying ways of Satan away in order for your benevolent kingdom to take root in the church and the world for the sake of Jesus.  Amen.

Revelation 3:7-13

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            Over thirty years ago, Chuck Colson wrote a timely and influential book entitled Loving God.  In it, he presented a simple yet biblical premise concerning the life of every believer in Jesus:  The way to love God is to obey God, period.  Everything turns on our listening to God and doing what he says to do.  Jesus himself communicated to the church at Philadelphia (not Pennsylvania, but Asia Minor) and affirmed how they obeyed the message.  Because of their faithful and steadfast obedience, the Philadelphian believers would be protected and loved by Jesus. 
 
            The church at Philadelphia did much more than offer a confession of loving God – they affirmed that confession by obeying Jesus.  In my Christian circles, we call this “living into our baptisms.”  That is, it is one thing to experience the sign of baptism as being set apart by the Holy Spirit for a relationship with God through the person and finished work of Jesus.  It is quite another thing to “live into” this reality by knowing God’s Word and obeying it.
 
            There is much complexity to humanity and its psychology, sociology, and history.  But there is at least one simple straightforward Scriptural truth that we all can live into:  To love God is to obey God.  Therefore, it is quite necessary for us to spend extended times reading our Bibles in order to know them well so that we can obey what it says. 
 

 

            Gracious God, thank you for the message of good news that in Jesus Christ I have forgiveness of sins.  Help me to hold onto this gospel through all of the vicissitudes of life so that obedience springs from my heart in all things by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Jeremiah 7:1-15

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            One of the dangers of the religious life is slipping into the view that possessing a certain thing protects us from all harm.  Today’s Old Testament lesson is a classic example of succumbing to just such a danger.  The ancient Jews in Jerusalem in the days of the prophet Jeremiah sincerely believed that because they had God’s temple in their city that this would protect them from any kind of attack from the outside.  What is more, the people even thought that they could do whatever they wanted, since the temple was there to protect them.
 
            Separated by centuries, we might see the folly in the Jewish thinking.  Yet, we as Americans can so easily slip into the same mentality.  When we think that we are so great that no one will ever take us over; when we sincerely believe that because we are a missionary-sending nation that God will protect us; when we buy into the notion that we can live however we want, but God would never judge the church that I attend and the group I am a  part of; then, we have come under the same condemnation as the Jews of old, and we need to hear God’s Word.
 
            “While you have been sinning, I have been trying to talk to you, but you refuse to listen.  Don’t think this temple will protect you.”  Jeremiah’s message to the people was:  “Change your ways and start living right… Be fair and honest with each other.  Stop taking advantage of foreigners, orphans, and widows.  Don’t kill innocent people.  And stop worshiping other gods.”
 
            God does not show favoritism based upon whether someone is American, or not; whether one is a particular race, ethnicity, or gender.  He will hold all people accountable.  For whom God has given much, much will be required.
 

 

            Holy God, you still speak today through your Word.  Help me to listen well and pay attention to what you are saying so that I might honor you through humility and obedience for the sake of Jesus.  Amen.