Return to Me: A Pause for Lent, Week 3

Day 1:

The past few weeks we have been studying scripture in which God invites his people to be in relationship him. This week we turn to a famous passage of individual repentance, Psalm 51, written by King David. After reading through the scripture below, read it again, maybe trying a different translation. Through the week, we’ll build on this passage, but for this first day, focus on the scripture and taking it in.

Psalm 51:1-17

Have mercy on me, O God,

    according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy

    blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

    and cleanse me from my sin!

3 For I know my transgressions,

    and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned

    and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you may be justified in your words

    and blameless in your judgment.

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

    and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,

    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins,

    and blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,

    and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from your presence,

    and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

    and sinners will return to you.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,

    O God of my salvation,

    and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips,

    and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;

you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Day 2:

Re-read Psalm 51: 1-17.

David is known as a “man after God’s own heart” and was the king to whom all subsequent kings were compared. His is the holy line from Judah that would eventually bring us our Messiah, Jesus. And yet, he was not without sin.

Many people know the story of David and Bathsheba. In this saga alone, David covets, steals, commits adultery, lies, and murders (5 of the 10 commandments broken). In his pursuit of Bathsheba, he grows more and more callous to the sins he’s committing to the point where God needs to send Nathan to open his eyes to his own depravity. This Psalm is his response.

Sometimes we can be like David. In our pursuits of our desires, we, too, can become apathetic to the sins we commit, which is why it is so important to be in community with other Christians who can lovingly call us out on our sin. Without Nathan, David may have continued on the path of destruction. But God had mercy on David, and his grace abounds towards us.

Psalm 51 is a prayer of returning to God and his ways. It is a prayer that we can use to realign our hearts to God’s. We have been given the chance to respond to God’s call, “return to me,” and may we respond as David did.

Day 3:

Re-read Psalm 51: 1-17.

There are great benefits to hand-copying scripture. It increases your focus on the words and aids in memorization. Today, pick a verse from Psalm 51:1-17 (or the whole passage) to copy down in your own hand or to memorize. If neither of those fit with your personality, draw a picture that comes to mind while reading it, or read the passage over multiple times, maybe in a different translation.

There are also some songs that have been made from this passage, and you can find one to listen to or sing (Create in Me a Clean Heart by Keith Green is one, Shane & Shane’s Psalm 51 (Wisdom in the Secret Heart), and the old hymn, Whiter than Snow, takes from this passage as well). The idea is to pause over the Word and let it sink in.

Day 4: 

Re-read Psalm 51:1-17.

Today in our Pause, we invite you to pray over the passage. Think through the scripture itself, what you may have learned from Day 2, or what has come to mind in your own personal study, and pray. If you need some help, we’ve provided a prayer below.

Lord, Thank you for your steadfast love and abundant mercy. Give me eyes to see my own wrongdoing and cleanse me from my sin. Create a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me. Surround me with people who can speak truth into my life, and let me be someone to do the same. Help me to be bold in declaring your praise and teaching others your ways so that they might, too, return to you. Let me praise you all my days for your righteousness, wisdom, mercy, faithfulness, and love.

Amen

Day 5:

Re-read Psalm 51:1-17.

Reflect and Apply:

• What sin is keeping you from experiencing the joy of salvation?

• “For you will not delight in sacrifice… The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit” When we come to God in humility, we can experience the fullness of his love and mercy. Reflect on God’s perfect goodness and where you fall short. Confess your sin and soak in his merciful lovingkindness.

• Our first response to God’s mercy should always be praise. Take some time today to praise God for all he’s done and for who he is. This can be through worship music, but can also be done through writing out or speaking those things. “God, you are merciful, just, loving,…” “God, you’ve shown your goodness by…”

Based on this week’s passage, take some time to think through an application that you can begin to carry out moving forward.

Please come back Monday morning for the post on Week 4.

Return to Me: A Pause for Lent, Week 2

Day 1:

This week in Return to Me: A Pause for Lent, our scripture for reflection comes from the prophet Jeremiah. Each day this week, we’ll reflect on this passage in a different way, but for today, simply read the passage and take it in. If you like, read it in more than one translation and see if anything sticks out to you.

Jeremiah 24:6-7

I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up. I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.

Day 2:

Re-read Jeremiah 24:6-7.

The Israelites have a colorful history as God’s Chosen People. Throughout the Old Testament, we see this group of people—given the blessing of being identified as God’s own people— squander away that designation by turning away from God and going their own way, time and time again. Jeremiah, one of the major prophets of the Old Testament, was witness to one of those seasons of wandering.

The Lord declares, in Jeremiah 5:11, “the house of Israel and the house of Judah have been utterly treacherous to me” and in Jeremiah 9:3 that “they do not know me.” His words are not ambiguous. But our God is a God of mercy, grace and steadfast love; He is not done with them yet. Later in Jeremiah, in verse 7 of our passage, the Lord relents, saying, “I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God.”

Jeremiah shows us that God’s strong words of judgement are surpassed only by his promises of mercy. He won’t give up on his people. He miraculously offers—to those who did not know him—a heart to know him as Lord, to call them his own, and to be called upon by them as their God. Why? Because they would return to him with their whole heart.

In my pride, I so often want to look down upon the Israelites for their wandering, but if I search my heart, I know I am no better. May we have hearts softened to his conviction, to turn away from our sin and turn to him with our whole hearts. Thanks be to God— He won’t give up on his people. He won’t give up on us.

Continue to reflect on that which separates you from the Lord and his great invitation to return to him.

Day 3:

Re-read Jeremiah 24:6-7.

There are great benefits to hand copying scripture. It increases your focus on the words and aids in memorization. Today, pick a verse from Jeremiah 24:6-7 (or both!) to copy down in your own hand or to memorize. If neither of those fit with your personality, draw a picture that comes to mind while reading it or read the passage over multiple times, maybe in a different translation. The idea is to pause over the Word and let it sink in.

Day 4: 

Re-read Jeremiah 24:6-7.

Today in our Pause, we invite you to pray over this week’s passage. Using the scripture, your own personal study, and anything you may have learned on Day 2, spend some time in prayer. Is there something that you want God to make clear to you, some sin you need to turn over to him? He wants to hear from you. If you need some help, we’ve provided a prayer below.

Father,

Like the Israelites, I let the circumstances of life and counterfeit gods get in between us. Instead of holding tight to you, I wander. Search my heart and help me to see where there might be distance between us and put that sin in me to death. And thank you for your mercy. Thank you for your invitation. Thank you for your promise, that if I recognize that I have turned away from you and turn back, you will welcome me home.

Amen

Day 5:

Re-read Jeremiah 24:6-7.

Reflect and Apply:

• Spend time in quiet. Take a few moments of silence to let God bring anything to mind that may be putting distance between you. Which broken places and through which means is he inviting you back? Welcome him into those places.

• Reflect on the building and planting metaphors in verse 6. Where would you like to see God build new works or grow new life in you moving forward? Be specific!

• Think back through the Israelites’ history and your own past, remember God’s mercy to redeem and restore us when we turn back to him. Again, be specific. Remembering is vital to building our faith deeper and stronger.

Based on this week’s passage, take some time to think through an application that you can begin to carry out moving forward.

 Come back next Monday morning for the post on Week 3.

Return to Me: A Pause for Lent, Week 1

Week 1 

Day 1:

Each week of our Lenten series, Return to Me: a Pause for Lent, we will focus on one passage in which God invites us to be in relationship him. We begin our first day of reflection by reading this week’s passage, Nehemiah 1:8-10. After reading through the verses below, read it again, possibly even in more than one translation. Each day this week, we’ll build on this passage, but for now, simply read the passage and soak it in.

Nehemiah 1: 8-10, ESV

Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.

Day 2:

Re-read Nehemiah 1:8-10.

Set in the time of the Israel’s captivity, Nehemiah is believed to be written by Ezra using the personal diaries of Nehemiah, the cupbearer to the King. Written 13 years after Ezra, the first chapter opens with Nehemiah learning of the deteriorating state of Jerusalem. Far from being a lowly service position, being cupbearer to the King was a critically important role. It was in this highly trusted capacity—as the one who drank from the king’s cup first to ensure it was not poisoned—that Nehemiah was in the position to approach the king on behalf of his people. But before he approaches the king with his mission, Nehemiah first appeals to God, citing God’s promise that if Israel would repent, he would restore them. (See also Deut. 4:29, 30:1-6.)

In this season of Lent, we pause and recognize the weight of our sin, that which separates us from the Lord. But first, we take a stop to dive into God’s call to us to return. If God did not call for us to return to him—if he did not promise to restore us if we did—no amount of recognition of sin could have eternal significance. But he did, and it does.

Pause and remember that even in your sin, God calls you back to him.

Day 3:

There are great benefits to hand-copying scripture. It increases your focus on the words and aids in memorization. Today, pick a verse from Nehemiah 1:8-10 (or the whole passage) to copy down in your own hand or to memorize. If neither of those fit with your personality, draw a picture that comes to mind while reading it, or read the passage over multiple times, maybe in a different translation. The idea is to pause over the Word and let it sink in.

Day 4: 

Today in our Pause, we invite you to pray over the passage. Re-read the passage and think through the scripture itself, what you may have learned from Day 2, or what has come to mind in your own personal study, then pray it out. If you need some help, we’ve provided a prayer below to get you started. 

Father,

In this season of Lent, we recognize all that separates us from you. But in order for our repentance and return to you to mean anything, we must first have the call, the invitation, the promise—that if we return to you, you will restore us. You have given that call throughout your Word. Most importantly, you gave that promise through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, whose death made a way for us to join you eternally. Thank you that you invite us to return to you.

Amen

Day 5:

Re-read the passage.

Reflect and Apply:

• What does it mean to you that God invites you to come back to him, even though you’ve sinned?

• Spend a few minutes personalizing his invitation—he calls you, [insert name], to turn from your sin and return to him. There is no sin too great, time elapsed too long that he would not welcome you with open arms.

• Remember a time that the fullness of God’s invitation has settled over you and the weight of sin was lifted.

Based on this week’s passage, take some time to think through an application that you can begin to carry out moving forward. Be specific!

Come back next Monday morning for the post on Week 2.

Return to Me: a Pause for Lent

Today marks the beginning of Lent. The 40 days of Lent points back to the 40 days of temptation Jesus faced in the wilderness.  It’s not the flashiest set of days on the Christian calendar. Whereas Advent leads up to the birth of our Savior and Easter celebrates his resurrection, the 40 days of Lent are set aside as a more somber time of reflection, preparation, and even self-denial.

Often seen as a time to fast—from food, social media, TV, purchases, or something else that seems to have a deeper hold on us than God—though good to do, Lent is about much more than giving something up.

Lent is an opportunity to slow down, to hit pause on the frenetic world and force our eyes—and hearts—to hold still. As much as we love the love of God in our lives, we allow space to remember our sin and humanity. We came from dust and to dust we will return. We search our hearts and recognize the brokenness inside of each one of us that made Jesus’s death and resurrection on Easter necessary.

To that end, this year we are offering a 5 day/week Lenten resource. We know everyone is busy, so each day’s prompts are designed to be completed in 5 minutes or less—you can take a brief pause from your day and do them as offered, or you can spend further time reflecting and studying to make a lengthier study time if you wish. Weekends are off or can be used to catch up on missed days. Each Monday we will post the five prompts for that week on the Riverbend Blog.

Our theme for our passages this Lent is Return to Me. To set that up, let’s take a look back at the Fall in Genesis 3:4-8:

4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her,  and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 

The serpent’s lie to Eve was that God was withholding good from her, and she believed it. Adam did as well. It was not enough that they had everything they could ever need, living in a perfect place—deep in their hearts, they fell to the temptation that God is not enough. They went their own way.

The next 40 days, we will spend time thinking of where we have gone our own way, thinking God is not enough in our own lives. But the good news is God has provided us an invitation. As he did numerous times through the Old Testament and even in the Gospels, he invited his people: “Return to me”.

As we journey to the Friday Cross through to Easter, we will see that God has offered us that same invitation, “Return to me,” through the death and resurrection of his perfect Son. This time, it is an invitation that echoes into eternity.

Advent 2022: His Peace

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Editor’s Note: The theme for this year’s Advent reflections is Immanuel, Jesus has Come Here. God has always been present in the world, but with the coming of Jesus as an infant, he is also made present with his people. Our sin separates us from God, but through a baby, Immanuel, he draws us close.

This week, as we explore the blessings of Immanuel, God with us, we finish our Advent reflections by thinking on the peace that comes from Jesus.

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Sometimes the carols from our youth hold a message for today. I feel that way about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”

You may not know that the poem which is now set to music was written by Longfellow on Christmas Day 1863, two years after his wife had died, in the depths of the Civil War, while nursing his soldier son. Longfellow was an abolitionist and was deeply depressed following his wife’s horrific death, but somehow the church bells that Christmas morning reminded him of a deeper truth, a truth that was stronger than his depression and pain.

One of the verses begins, “In despair I bowed my head; ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said; ‘for hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men.’” 

That’s often how I feel. Peace and good-will are platitudes that are thrown around, but people don’t have the courage, or perhaps the example to follow, to make that a reality.  How can we?  It is not human nature to offer good-will to others, especially when they are outside our group, outside our understanding.  But it is in God’s nature to do so. He is the one who sent His son from heaven to earth to show us a way of peace. The song continues, “Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: ‘God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men.’”

This verse is a lyrical hint of God’s redemption described in Jesus’ own words in John 16:33,

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus has overcome the world!

As we come to this last week—this last day—of Advent, on Christmas Eve and are once again confronted with the unbelievable accounts of Jesus’ birth—His coming—let us not make it a puzzle to be somehow cleverly solved but rather take a moment to peacefully ponder(1) all that was, all that is, and all that is to come, proclaiming again, with great confidence that Jesus is our peace.

(1.      Dr. Natasha Duquette, Vice-President Academic and Professor of Literature, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College, Barry’s Bay, Ontario, Canada, https://ccca.biola.edu/advent/2022/#day-nov-29 )

Reflection:

1. Write in a journal some things that cause you stress, that take away your rest.  Then in a prayer, say “Jesus, ______________ is taking away my peace.  But I know that you are greater than this. It does not surprise you. It does not overwhelm you like it does me. I am claiming your peace, knowing you have already overcome this. Help me to rest in you.”

2. Find a bell, not a jingle bell, but something louder, deeper. If you can’t find a bell, make one. Fill a metal container with some water and strike it. Ring it and remember that God is not dead. He does not sleep.  Read aloud Psalm 121. If you can’t find or make a bell, go for a walk and listen for the carillon of a local church to remind you of the truths of Psalm 121.

3. Invite your family to sit and experience the quiet.  Pause with your eyes closed. Say “Jesus” and then let yourself lean into the silence for 60 seconds. Open your eyes and do a silent group hug. This may be the only quiet you get in a chaotic, celebratory week.  Enjoy it!

Advent 2022: His Perfection

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Editor’s Note: The theme for this year’s Advent reflections is Immanuel, Jesus has Come Here. God has always been present in the world, but with the coming of Jesus as an infant, he is also made present with his people. Our sin separates us from God, but through a baby, Immanuel, he draws us close.

This week, as we explore the blessings of Immanuel, God with us, we reflect on Jesus coming here and the gift of his perfection.

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One of my sons has inherited his mother’s unfortunate tendency towards perfectionism. When he tries but fails to master some new concept in school or in play perfectly, the frustration, shame, or defensiveness—or some combination of feelings—threatens to pull him down. But just as I know he will never be perfect, our heavenly Father knows he, nor I, nor any one of us, will ever be perfect. In fact, that inability to measure up to a 100%-perfection-all-the-time-every-time standard is the very reason Jesus came.

“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20

Prior to Jesus, the Israelites measured their right-standing with God through adherence to the Mosaic Law. The Law had many purposes, such as to set the nation of Israel apart from other nations, but chief among them was to reveal to God’s chosen people who he is and who they were— people who fell short of his standard of perfection, and were, therefore, in need of saving. For the people of the Law, that saving came through prescribed sacrifices, which needed to be regularly offered to the Lord.   

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoptions as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5

“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14

Immanuel came down to a broken world full of imperfect people, the spotless lamb. He faced earthly temptations, experienced the realities of this world, knew the exacting nature of high standards, and yet he remained without sin. His perfection covers our imperfection. And even more mind-blowing is that the driver behind this greatest act of all time, as identified for us in John 3:16, is God’s love for us. Timothy Keller famously says,

“The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”

From one recovering perfectionist to anyone else out there that struggles under the weight of something that is impossible, nor was ever meant to be attained, let us give endless praise to the One who has always been, is always, will forever be Perfect.

This Advent season, let us push off the weight of guilt and shame set by impossibly high standards, not as an excuse to continue in sin, but to fall headlong into his arms of grace. He came. Jesus came. Immanuel came.

Reflection:

1. Do you tend to hold yourself up to an impossible standard or do you use grace as an excuse to continue in sin?

2. Spend some time reflecting on who Christ is and the fact that Immanuel, the Son of God, was both without sin and came to cover us with his righteousness.

Advent 2022: His Pursuit

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Editor’s Note: The theme for this year’s Advent reflections is Immanuel, Jesus has Come Here. God has always been present in the world, but with the coming of Jesus as an infant, he is also made present with his people. Our sin separates us from God, but through a baby, Immanuel, he draws us close.

This week, as we explore the blessings of Immanuel, God with us, we reflect on Jesus coming here and the gift of his pursuit.

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“There is a crack in everything, it’s how the light gets in.” ~ Leonard Cohen

Another season of Advent is here—a season of hope, peace, joy, and love—the most wonderful time of the year. And yet, with each passing year, it seems easier to focus on all the cracks and brokenness that permeate this busted up world. 

A former student of ours, Sarah, a young wife and mother, passed away the day after Thanksgiving. We prayed for healing. We prayed for a miracle. But that healing came in a different way than we had prayed for. My mind drifts to the passage in Luke 24 when some of the disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus, and Jesus walks with them, though they do not recognize him. They talk about all the events of the crucifixion and the events leading up to it, when they say these three words, ”We had hoped...” So much of the sentiment of those words resonate with my heart and maybe yours as well.

We had hoped... you would heal Sarah.

We had hoped...you would restore that relationship.

We had hoped... for different test results.

We had hoped... you would give us a child to love.

We had hoped... for my family member to finally be free of addiction.

We had hoped... for a time together with family without another blowup.

“We had hoped He was the Messiah, who had come to rescue Israel.” Luke 24:21.

His very own disciples and closest friends doubted who Jesus was. And yet, I think about how even in the midst of their grief, disappointment, cynicism, or doubts, He walks with them. He listens. He reminds them of all that was promised to them. He is WITH them.

And isn’t that what Christmas is all about? God sends love down, putting on flesh, to pursue and get up close and personal with His prodigal people. Our cynicism doesn’t phase him. Our bitterness doesn’t deter him. Our doubts don’t scare him. He gives us the freedom to choose our own way over His perfect ways, and His love for us remains steadfast and limitless. But far too often we chase the fleeting pleasures of this world when “it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32). And His vast love and pursuit goes far beyond saving us to actually wanting to adopt us as His dearly beloved children, to share His inheritance with us, to experience eternal life and His kingdom now.

My grief and doubts may still sometimes blind me from recognizing Him in the moment, but as I look back on my life, I can still see His pursuit of me, his unending love, his goodness and faithfulness to me. For when His hope and my heart burned within me, I can see how He was with me all the way (Luke 24:32).

So yes, there are still cracks in everything, but I pray this Christmas, and always, that we would allow the light and love of Jesus to permeate those cracks of our broken hearts so that hope, joy, and peace would shine through us. And rather than continuing to say “We had hoped,” we can now proclaim with confidence, “We have hope” — in Jesus, our Messiah, and He has really come to rescue us. Amen.

Reflection:

1. What are the “cracks” in your life?

2. Where do you see, amidst the cracks, the Lord’s pursuit of you this holiday season?

Advent 2022: His Presence

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Editor’s Note: The theme for this year’s Advent reflections is Immanuel, Jesus has Come Here. God has always been present in the world, but with the coming of Jesus as an infant, he is also made present with his people. Our sin separates us from God, but through a baby, Immanuel, he draws us close.

This week, as we explore the blessings of Immanuel, God with us, we reflect on Jesus coming here and the gift of his presence.

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Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”

Name him—Immanuel. It means God is with us.

Have you ever noted that sometimes it’s not the pain or seriousness of an injury that matters in the end? I have more traumatic memories from my childhood of splinters and scrapes than the concussion I sustained from gymnastics. And my first sickness, a cold, as a freshman in college was worse than the flu I had had at home with my parents in high school. The difference between each scenario was that I was alone with the lighter, seemingly easier afflictions, but held and comforted by my parents with the more serious maladies.

It is curious that Immanuel is the name God chooses for His Son in this passage. He could have named himself “Chesed,” (grace), “Shalom,” (peace), or “Hesed,” (love). God is in fact all of these things. Other places in the Bible God calls Him these exact beautiful words and more!  But when His Son was to be born, it’s almost as if God just didn’t want us (and Israel, the original recipients of this sign) to miss it. “I have come near. I am here. I am with you. You are not alone.”

During Christmas time there is both a beauty and magic about the celebration of Jesus’ arrival. Yet, there can also be sadness and grief. Perhaps you feel the loss of someone you love to sickness, or you have a wayward child, or a much desired expectation wasn’t met in your life.

The name God gives His Son tells us you are never by yourself in both these delights of the season—lights, gifts, food, friends—nor the strange heartache. He is with you. He is near.

Jeremiah 23: 23-24 “Am I a God who is near,” declares the Lord, “And not a God far off? Can a man hide himself in hiding places, So I do not see him?” Declares the Lord, “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” Declares the LORD.

Psalm 139: 7-10 Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, Thou are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there thy hand will lead me, And Thy right hand will lay hold of me.”

When the God of the Bible draws near, it is to be like a balm to cracked skin. When Moses asked God to go with them as they travelled through the desert, it was to be a strong protection over the Israelites. And when Jesus came near as a baby who grew into a man who willingly died for people who would reject Him, it was to bring healing to our broken, rebellious and hurting souls. When God sends His Son to be “with” us, it is a very very good thing.

So when you feel alone…

•    When you have met yourself as a new Mom for the first time and are bone tired

•    When you have your grown children living outside your home for the first time.

•    When you are working with your difficult child NOT for the first time.

•    When you are up late studying for that impossible test and you’re running out of time

•    Or up late working on a budget that just won’t stretch any more

•    Or even up late flirting with temptation to sin and you just can’t walk away and you already feel the shame that inevitably comes when we choose sin.

In those times this season, let the beauty of the lights, the music, the unique tastes of this season remind you that the presence of our gentle, kind, forgiving, powerful, perfect Savior is with you. Though your feelings may try to convince you otherwise,  your prayers are not just hitting the ceiling. You are talking to your Savior. You are crying with your Savior. You are fighting the good fight against sin with Your Savior. When it seems no one else cares about the strange heartache of things that didn’t materialize, or things that did, remember and believe that Jesus came to show us just how near He wants to be with us.

Immanuel.

Reflection:

1. Can you remember a time that someone’s presence with you in a hard time brought comfort or peace?

2. In what situation you are currently facing do you need to remember that Jesus came to be with you on this earth?

Community and Contribution, Jason McDaniel's Story

Every September, Riverbend takes a Hebrews 11-type pause to look back and then reset for the Kingdom work ahead. Each of us individually, and the Riverbend Church family, collectively, is part of something bigger. As part of our look back this Fall, we want to share a bit of Jason McDaniel’s story. 

Jason McDaniel, his wife, Robin, and their three children now live in New Tripoli, but they haven’t always been Lehigh Valley residents. Jason came here in 2008 as part of an internship with Air Products before returning officially “full time” in 2009. He grew up in upstate New York and met Robin at Cedarville University in Ohio. Jason holds several business degrees from Cedarville and an MBA from Cornell University. Before his time at Air Products and Cornell, Jason worked for three years at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

He and Robin arrived in the Lehigh Valley and were invited to Riverbend just as weekly worship services at the Sheraton Jetport on Airport Road began.  They knew they wanted to find a smaller church where they could connect and contribute.

Jason shares, “I am a firm believer in the idea that we should approach church with the attitude of ‘How can I be a part of what God is doing?’ rather than ‘What can this church offer us?’” And he has been a part of a lot, faithfully serving over their years of involvement here at Riverbend on the leadership team, as an elder, as financial advisor and budget support, and participant and leader of various community groups.

Although Jason recently stepped down from his role as Elder, he is not stepping back from contributing. He, Robin, and Joe and Amy Velarde are leading a multi-generational community group looking at the foundational beliefs of Christianity through the New City Catechism, a resource aimed at helping children and adults learn the core doctrines of the Christian faith through 52 questions and answers. Youth 7-12 years old will be learning with Jason, while the adults will be learning with Pastor Joe.

“I think a lot about how I can ensure that my kids (and others their age) have the opportunities that I did to build a strong Biblical foundation that will stand up to the challenges they will experience today.  I don’t fully know what our next step will bring but seek to commit this next season to the Lord and pray that He will continue to guide our paths.”

This stance is a living expression of one of Jason’s guiding scriptures, Proverbs 3:5-6,

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” 

Jason explains, “In my experience, there is seldom an audible voice or ‘feeling’ that guides me to the next step, but I believe if we are faithful with what we have been entrusted with, we can look back and see His hand ‘straightening’ our paths.”

Those guiding paths started in his parents’ home and in a 5-day club where he made his profession of faith in Jesus as a 5-year-old. Eventually the faith that was first nurtured by his parents and his local community church became his own. Studying the Bible was a key way that Jason strengthened and personalized his faith.

A pleasant turn of events for the McDaniels this past year was Jason’s parents’ move to the Lehigh Valley. You may have met or served with them at a worship service this past year. Like Jason and Robin 13 years ago, Gretchen and Richard are looking for a new church home, and it just might be Riverbend.

Jason characterizes Riverbend as a church that empowers people to realize what God has called them to. “We aren’t perfect and don’t pretend to be, but I am excited about what God is doing in our church to impact the Valley and the World for Himself.”

“My hope is that our community will continue to be a place where we empower people to take their next step for the gospel.  I desire to see discipleship and a deepening of our understanding of what and who we believe as we stand with Grace for Truth in a world where the two feel incompatible.  I desire to see that grounding in Grace and Truth in our next generation.” 

May it be so!

The Holy Temple

My dad is a carpenter. He’s built houses for longer than I’ve been alive, and I’ve picked up a few things from him. First, I’ve learned the importance of having a level foundation to build upon, and second, I’ve learned the importance of everything being plumb (straight). When not plumb, doors and windows get stuck, steps are thrown off, and it’s a headache to try to rectify later in the build.

Today, most houses are built with wooden frames, sheetrock, etc., but in ancient Israel and the surrounding areas, most houses were built with stones. In fact, there is some speculation that the Greek word tekton, what we’ve translated as “carpenter” regarding Jesus’ profession, could more closely be translated as “craftsman”, “worker” or even “mason.” Whatever Jesus’ true profession, with the understanding that buildings were made from stone, it makes sense that Jesus was referred to as “the cornerstone” in multiple passages. Peter, in Acts 4:11, refers to Psalms 118:22:

“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.”

And he quotes it directly in 1 Peter 2:6-8:

“For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.”

You may or may not know what a cornerstone is, but for the sake of clarity, it is exactly as it sounds: a stone in the corner of a building. The cornerstone is the first stone that is laid after the foundation, and it is the stone that all the other stones are lined up with to ensure the building is plumb. It plays an extremely important role in the building of these ancient structures, and without it, they are unsteady and could be quite uneven. With all this background, let’s look at Ephesians 2:11-22.

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

There are quite a few references to building here. The first one I want to focus on is in verse 14. Before the foundation is even laid, the build site needs to be prepared. That may mean demolishing any pre-existing structures to make room for the new build. In verse 14, Jesus is doing just that: he’s tearing down the “walls of hostility” between us. To Paul’s audience, the Ephesians, that meant the walls between the Israelites and Gentiles. To us, it could mean the walls of hostility between political parties, denominations, cultures, and socio-economic standing—pretty much whatever walls we put up to divide us. Jesus demolishes those walls to make room for something much better. I like to think of Jesus going all Wreck-it-Ralph on those walls; he sees walls of hostility between people and says, “I’m going to wreck it!” Jesus replaces our identities as “strangers” and “aliens” with “citizens” and “household members.” Importantly, in his work of reconciling us to God, he also reconciles with each other.

The next mention of building practices comes up in verse 20. He states that our household is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. For this house to be level, we need to be built upon those that came before us. We learn from the prophets of the Old Testament, as well as the apostles in the New Testament. Both have been sent by God to speak to his people.

Paul agrees with Peter here and sees Christ’s role as the cornerstone of this house. He is the one that all the other stones (us) look to in order to make sure we are straight. He is the first stone laid, and the stone from which we are all directed. We are joined together with him to be a holy temple, a dwelling place for God.

One extremely important part of this process that can be easily overlooked comes up in verse 22. It states that we are “being built together…by the Spirit.” It is the Holy Spirit who lays the stones down, adding each person to the holy temple, making us plumb with Christ. It’s not by our efforts that we line up with Jesus, but rather the Holy Spirit’s work in us. It’s also his work in us that unites us (individual stones) to become one holy house. It brings us full circle back to 2:8-10.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Because of God’s grace towards us, let us remember who we were before Christ (separated, alienated, hopeless, hostile [vs. 12 & 14]) and how he has changed all that. Let us allow Jesus to break down our walls of hostility and allow the Holy Spirit to build us up together with Christ. After all, he is the Great Builder.

“(For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)”
Hebrews 3:4

A Father's Day Prayer

Shared during the Gathering on Father’s Day by Rich McDaniel.

“Jesus did something that was unprecedented in history—because he talked to the Father in heaven with a term of endearment. You know what it was? It was Abba.”

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For all the fathers, aspiring daddies, fill-in daddies, grandfathers, uncles:

Abba, we love you and we need you. We stand before you here in this moment as your children. We are aware of your love and we’re amazed by it, we’re astounded by it, we don’t know how to process it.

But Lord we also stand before you as daddies, as padres, as papas, who fervently love our little ones, our children, whom we brought into the world. And Lord we need you. Abba, we need your help. So we pray for this. We pray, Lord, and we commit as we pray that we surrender ourselves right here. We surrender our will. And we pray that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We pray that your will be done on earth in me as it is in heaven. That begins here and now. We pray that you would take us and use us.

And Lord, we draw near to you as James said, draw near to me and I will draw near to you. So we are drawing near, we choose, we resolve, we commit, we purposely step into, this drawing near to you. That we might live in your kingdom, in your presence. That’s what we pray for. We want to live in your presence. And Lord as we seek to do that, we pray that you would move us from this place of awareness, and that that awareness would turn to conversation, and the conversation would turn to communion, and the communion would turn to union, which is that which you call us to. For we realize, Lord, that the best thing we can do for our children is to be like you, is to be transformed, and to live the life of faith with integrity in their eyes. We pray for that.

Abba, we need you as well for our children. There are so many things in their lives that we simply cannot touch or influence. And so we pray, Lord, that you would protect them, hedge them in from the power of evil, which is all around them in a confused and distracted and often evil world. We pray, Lord, that you would protect them.

And we pray, Lord, that you would nurture them. That in their life experience, that you would bring them to the point where they can see you, and then know you, and then love you. We pray, Lord, that you would nurture them.

And, Lord, as they go through life with you in your presence, we pray that you would bring them peace, not the peace of the world, but your peace. The peace that is not a freedom from trials because trials are needed for character, but we pray that you would give them that sense of your presence in trials, because that’s what gives us ultimate peace.

And we pray as well, Lord, that you would give them joy. We pray for more than happiness, because happiness comes and goes with circumstance, but joy is integral to who we are in our spirits, and the knowledge that you are with us and for us and that nothing can be against us in that context. So we pray for their joy, for joyfulness.

And so, Lord, we pray all these things as we commit ourselves and then our children into your hands. May it be so. For it is in the name of Christ, the Messiah, our Lord and Savior that we pray. Amen.

Summer Opportunities at Riverbend

Hi, Riverbend! As we head into the Summer months, we have several exciting opportunities to connect with our community that we want to highlight. Many of them are NEW so make sure you check out the details!

For all, we have two outdoor gatherings. Party at the Park will happen on May 29th at Covered Bridge Park in Allentown and July 31st at the Hanover Township Park in Bethlehem instead of our usual gatherings in-building (rain permitting). We will have the opportunity to gather as usual, as well as some time after to spend in fellowship and, of course, eating! This is a great way to get into our local community and love the Valley, so we hope you’ll join us and even invite some friends!

If you’re interested in signing up to bring a side or dessert to share, you can use this sign up sheet.

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There’s also an Iron Pigs Faith Night June 17th! Faith Night will feature some pre-game worship music, testimonies from Iron Pigs players interviewed by our very own Ed Hanna, and post-game fireworks! It will be a great time to enjoy the fun atmosphere of an Iron Pigs game, surrounded by friends from Riverbend and other area churches!

Gates open at 5:30, first pitch is 7:05, and tickets are $11 each, which includes a $2 ballpark credit. Riverbend has reserved 30 tickets and they can be purchased here.

Contact Ed Hanna for more details.

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For the kids, we are very excited to host our first VBS! The theme is Spark Studios and focuses on Ephesians 2:10:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”

During this week, our kids will learn that God’s creativity didn’t stop in Genesis. The Master Artist is working to redeem, reclaim, and transform us–His creation–to the design He planned for us. Kids will see the beautiful truth that they are God’s workmanship as they learn to use their talents to bring glory to Him.

VBS will take place July 11-15 from 9am-12pm and children ages 3 years old to 5th grade are welcome! If you want to sign up your kids, click here.

We need volunteers to pull this off, and there are a variety of needs depending on your ability to serve! We have need of volunteers for decorating, class leaders or helpers, crafts, games, snacks, registration, worship, safety and tech. If you are able to volunteer, use this sign up.

Contact Sam Schwarze for more details.

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For the ladies, we are excited to launch a Bible study this summer! We will be starting Jackie Hill Perry’s Jude: Contending for the Faith in Today’s Culture the week of June 20th. Knowing we can’t match up everyone’s schedules, there is no set meeting time each week, but you will receive a weekly email with a link to the teaching video and some questions we can discuss through email or our private Facebook study group! We would also love to see you grab a friend or two who is also participating and discuss in person throughout the study!

You can purchase your workbook here. If you want to participate and purchasing the workbook is an issue, we will make sure you get a copy! Contact Erin Harris for more information.

There is also a monthly Walk & Talk that happens the first Saturday of each month. Come join us from 10am-12pm at the Lehigh Parkway for a time of fellowship! We meet at the Fish Hatchery.

Summer dates: June 4, July 2, August 6

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For the men, don’t miss an opportunity to meet with other guys from Riverbend for a time of food, fellowship, prayer, and discussing the current sermon series. We meet every Wednesday morning from 6:30-8am at the Bethlehem Diner. A great way to start off your day!

Contact Dave Escott for more details.

A Mother's Day Prayer

Happy Mother’s Day to ALL the women that are here today. I know today can come with a myriad of emotions - if you were blessed like me to have an amazing mom who made home a glad place of refuge, it is easy to celebrate and honor her, but it can also come with hard and complicated emotions - deep grief and sorrow if we’ve lost our mother or a child, disappointment, sadness, and aching for those who yearn to be mothers but it remains an longing unfulfilled. Maybe you have a complicated relationship with your mom. I remember while we were struggling with infertility there were some Mother’s Days I couldn’t even come to church because the longing and pain of being childless was too much to bear. Wherever you find yourself this Mother’s Day, may you remember that we serve El-roi, “the God who sees” and Emmanuel, “the God who is with us.”

To those who are mothers…

…May you feel loved, honored, and celebrated today and always - for the fierce love you pour out, the sacrifices made, sleepless nights endured, tears you wipe away, boo boos kissed and fixed, the refuge and safe place you are, the stories you read, listening ear you offer, advice and wisdom you give, and all the prayers spoken. We are forever grateful.

To those with good mother relationships…

…May you cherish the time, closeness and love you share with your mother. May you make sweet memories together in the days while you still have each other to enjoy this side of heaven. 

To those who have complicated mother relationships…

…May you find a safe place to share your story, be humble enough to own your part of the relationship, offer forgiveness for past hurts, be supported by mother-like women to learn from and be loved by, and if possible find restoration.

To those who have lost mothers…

…in your grief, may you be comforted by the memories you hold of her, gratitude for the time you were given with her, and all the ways, big and small, the she showed her pride in you and her great love for you.

To those who have never known a mother…

…May you be loved and supported by spiritual mothers and mentors that can help fill the void of lost experiences. 

To those who long to be mothers or have missed their chance to be a mother…

…in your grief, and as you wait, may you feel His nearness and find comfort, strength, and peace in the opportunities to love and nurture the children God’s placed in your life. 

To mothers who have lost children…

…in your deep ache and sorrow, may you experience God’s comfort and care, receive gentle love and kindness from those who love and support you, and in the vast absence of your child, may the beauty of the memories shared with your child bring comfort to your aching heart. 

To the aunts, stepmoms, sisters, and special women in our lives…

…Though you may not have physically birthed the ones you mother, the love, care, and support you offer is irreplaceable and is cherished by those whose lives you’ve impacted. May you feel honored and celebrated for the special role you play to those in your life and community. 

Today and everyday, may each of us see and receive all of the ways God mothers us - may we allow Him to nurture our broken and hurting hearts, receive His sacrificial love and forgiveness through Jesus, walk as His beloved children, and feel His pride and delight in us, knowing there is nothing we could do to separate us from His love. Amen.

What Mercy Looks Like

Mathew Schmalz, an Associate Professor of Religion, defines “mercy" as a “love that responds to human need in an unexpected or unmerited way.”*

And as soon as I heard that definition, I asked myself, "what do I need?" As a human, I need the essentials, of course: water, shelter, and food.  But I think that God's mercy reaches beyond what I can even comprehend that I need.  He knew me and you before we even took our first breath.  His mercy extends to places of the unseen that go further and deeper than we realize.  His mercy towards us meets our needs before we know we need them.  That makes me feel seen and safe. 

As we have been recipients of such deep, rich mercies, how are we mirroring the mercy we receive towards the people in our inner circle?  How can we make our people feel seen and safe today, right now?  Is there a need that I can see with my human eyes and respond with the supernatural love that God has poured into my life? It doesn't have to be complicated. But I do believe a little forethought goes a long way.

Do you know that neighbor with 4 kids who always seems to be reversing out the driveway in her minivan with sports equipment and smudged windows?  Mercy might look like a gift card to Starbucks. 

Maybe to that friend from high school who you haven't seen in a long time but heard they received some hard news, sending a card with heartfelt words looks like mercy.

And when we are all out of ideas for the day on to whom and how to show the mercy we have received towards others—maybe that's the perfect time to fall to our knees and give thanks to God for the mercies He makes new every morning.

*Schmalz, Matthew. Mercy Matters: Opening Yourself to the Life-Changing Gift. Huntington, IN, Our Sunday Visitor, 2016.

From Ashes

I cried over a tree last week.

Our tree. It had really become almost a part of our family, and she had to come down.

She’d been sick for a while, likely even before we bought the house. We tried to heal her, but she was too far gone.

So, this year, we had to cut her down. And I cried—maybe because we named her, and it’s harder to let a tree go when it goes from an “it” to something more like a pet. Maybe I associate this tree with my “better brain days”—those little blips I’ve had during recovery when I have been able to take Johnny outside to enjoy our tree. He loved to let the weeping cherry branches brush over his face. The branches reached down to us. She felt more personal than your average higher-than-you-can-reach oak.

She has what’s known as a sucker—a “mini tree”—growing at her base. So, we kept that part, hoping after the shock of the intense pruning, it will begin to flourish and grow once again.

Even though taking the tree down was hard, it was necessary. And I used the sawdust from that day as a protective mulch over our grass seeds to protect them from the birds and deer and to help encourage growth.

And all this crazy, down-to-almost-nothing pruning that we had to do for our tree got me thinking. It had me reflecting (as gardening and yard work often does) on how similar these things are to our own walks with Christ.

It reminds me of how God redeems broken things. Like sawdust, the ashes of our really hard stuff—the remains of those refining fires—can be used to help others grow. They can protect those who are vulnerable from being devoured.

There’s a constant redemptive, healing rhythm in nature. And it’s true of us as well.

Our cherry tree looks different. It will probably have a couple years of shock before it starts thriving again. But growth is still possible. And a different kind beauty still remains.

There’s another aspect of my latest venture in the garden that reminded me of a verse I read this morning. I didn’t know this until now, but the sawdust from the tree smells amazing. It’s sweet and pleasant and smells of cherries. And it reminds me of 2 Corinthians 2:15, “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” And I think it’s true in our own lives, that sometimes the aroma of Christ is strongest in the midst of a pruning season—in the midst of those hard things that cut us down to our roots.

I have hope for this tree, that what is left is deeply rooted enough to heal in this hard season and begin thriving again. And that is my prayer for you as well.

May you be deeply rooted. May the ashes (or sawdust) of your afflictions be turned to His glory, a mercy to those who are vulnerable. Through your deeply rooted love of Christ, may the “fragrance of the knowledge of Him” be spread everywhere. Even in the midst of your own deep pruning.

Lent 2022: Holy Spirit's Indwelling

Editor’s Note: Lent is a season of personal reflection. As Advent provides a time to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Lent offers us time to reflect on our sin, and the need for our Savior’s death and resurrection on the cross.

This year, our weekly reflections have focused on the mercy of God. In His goodness, God has displayed mercy towards us from the start. He knew sin would enter the world and created a means to have right-standing with Him. As we each spend time remembering God’s mercy and His pursuit of us—from our sinfulness and need, to the institution of sacrifices for the Israelites, culminating with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, we remember that God has been always kind, always just, always loving, always merciful.

As this Sunday is Easter, we wanted to spend some time focusing on “what next”? Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. So how now do we live in light of his work on the cross? In God’s mercy, He has not left us alone. After Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, God sent the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit, to be our constant companion and advocate. Even before his death, Jesus knew this was the plan and shared that promise with his friends in the upper room.

Holy Spirit’s Indwelling

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.  On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you”.

John 14:15-20

Reflect: 

1.     Describe the sense of comfort that this passage gives to you.  Imagine Jesus’ voice saying these words to you, “[fill in your name], I will not leave you. I will come to you.  Because I live in you, [your name], you will also live.”

2.     So many scriptures contrast the life of the orphan and the life of a beloved child. Especially in our current world crises, we see images of orphans. What one or two specific things is Jesus asking you to do, knowing that you are not an orphan, but you have the Holy Spirit in you?

Paul describes the reality that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit brings in Romans 8: 1-2, 6-11:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death…The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

1.     This scripture is both convicting and invigorating in its contrast of the flesh and the Spirit. What do you notice about the differences?  In your own life what do you notice when your flesh is more obvious?  What do you notice when the indwelling spirit is in evidence?

2.     Both the passage in John 14 and Romans 8 talk about Christ giving us life.  What does that mean to you, especially if your own physical body is failing?  Or someone you know is declining physically?

Prayer:

A prayer adapted from “Every Moment Holy, vol. 11” by Douglas McKelvey 

“Oh Lord, you have appointed us to live in these very places, in these unsettled times. It is no surprise to you that we are here now, sharing in the turmoil. You have called us to be salt and light, to be your agents of forgiveness, salvation, healing, reconciliation, and hope.  And in these holy vocations, you have not left us helpless. You have not left us at all. Your Spirit indwells us.  Holy Spirit, equip us now for your work, this day. To all you have prepared for us, to the new and next, we say Yes.”

Additional scripture: Consider reading the verses above in their full chapter context (John 14 and Romans 8). You many also want to read and think about Jeremiah 31: 31-34

Lent 2022: Jesus as Sacrifice

Editor’s Note: Lent is a season of personal reflection. As Advent provides a time to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Lent offers us time to reflect on our sin, and the need for our Savior’s death and resurrection on the cross.

This year, our weekly reflections will focus on the mercy of God. In His goodness, God has displayed mercy towards us from the start. He knew sin would enter the world and created a means to have right-standing with Him. In the coming weeks, we will spend time remembering God’s mercy and His pursuit of us—from our sinfulness and need, to the institution of sacrifices for the Israelites, culminating with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. God has been always kind, always just, always loving, always merciful.

Last week, we put ourselves in the place of a lost sheep that God pursues and finds. This week, the apostle Peter reminds us we are all sheep who are going astray.

Jesus as Sacrifice

“’He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’ For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

I Peter 2:22-25, quoting Isaiah 53

Reflect:

1.  You may have noticed in this translation that the sheep were going astray. It was an active situation of straying. What is something that is happening for you right now, this week, where you are straying? Sinning?  Jesus bore those sins so that we could live for righteousness. What righteous choice, by Jesus’ strength, do you want to do instead?  How can you create your own “But now…” chapter of your faith story?

2. What new awe do you have for Jesus, being reminded by scripture that he didn’t return insults or threats?  If Jesus entrusted himself to God as his judge, what do you think he wants each of us to do regarding judgment of others?  What specific circumstance is God bringing to your mind?

 “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

1 John 2:1-2

Reflect: John calls Jesus both “the Righteous One” and our “advocate.”  Jesus’ righteousness is presented in stark contrast to our sinfulness. Even good people have sin.

1.  To atone means to compensate, to make amends. What is the largest chasm you can think of?  The largest number or price tag you can imagine? The most horrendous wrong?  Write those down. Contemplate the immensity of them.  Then recognize that Jesus is greater. He paid for the sins of the whole world!

2. Who “in the whole world” still needs to hear the good news of Jesus’ atonement?  Make a list. Pray that all may hear.

This week’s scriptures provide precious insights into our Savior—the righteous one, our advocate, the shepherd and overseer of our souls.  Spend time praising our Savior using these names.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, You are our perfect sacrifice. You are the righteous one who advocates for us with Your heavenly Father. You are the Great Shepherd, the one who pursues us, finds us, brings us back to the fold. You are the overseer of our souls. Because of your atoning sacrifice, we are healed. You are the hope of the whole world. We bow in awe of you, in devotion to you, in silence before you, the lamb who was slain.  Amen.

Additional scriptures: Luke 22:32-43, Isaiah 53:6-12, Genesis 22:1-14

*New International Version of the Bible was used for scriptures in this piece.

Lent 2022: God's Pursuit

Editor’s Note: Lent is a season of personal reflection. As Advent provides a time to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Lent offers us time to reflect on our sin, and the need for our Savior’s death and resurrection on the cross.

This year, our weekly reflections will focus on the mercy of God. In His goodness, God has displayed mercy towards us from the start. He knew sin would enter the world and created a means to have right-standing with Him. In the coming weeks, it is our hope that we each spend time remembering God’s mercy and His pursuit of us—from our sinfulness and need, to the institution of sacrifices for the Israelites, culminating with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. God has been always kind, always just, always loving, always merciful. 

This week, we make a turn from Old Testament to New. We have recognized our sin and need for repentance and mercy through the Old Testament institution of sacrifice— a temporary act that must be oft repeated. Now, as we move into the New Testament, we begin to see God set the stage for the ultimate sacrifice through Jesus Christ, but first, we will spend some time reflecting on God’s heart for us and what great lengths he would go to pursue us.

 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.  In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.”

Matthew 18: 10-14

Reflect:

God’s mercy is not passive, waiting for us to come to our senses, working to find him and finally experience his mercy. In his mercy, he relentlessly pursues us, even when we are far from the sheepfold. Matthew 18 seems to be about God’s measuring of greatness and humility and the valuing children.

1. If you are a parent, have you ever had a child wander away from you?  How did it feel to realize the child was missing?  How did it feel to be reunited?
2. Think back, do you ever remember being lost?  Compare the lost feelings with the feelings that raced through your body once you were back in a familiar safe place with safe people. How do those memories bring new understanding to God’s pursuit of us?
3. What feelings might you need to examine if you find yourself feeling like one of the ninety-nine obedient sheep?
4. In prayer to God, name one or two people whom you don’t want to perish. Ask Him to relentlessly pursue them.

In Ezekiel 37, God demonstrates that He is a source of life and hope for people who are exhausted and scattered.

“Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms. They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God…I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I the Lord make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.’”

Ezekiel 37: 21-23, 26-28

Reflect:

1. What meaning does God’s Old Testament pronouncement and fulfilment of unification and salvation for Israel mean to you today in the 21st century in the United States, especially if you are non-Jewish?
2. Just as God has the power to cleanse Israel, God has the power to cleanse each of us. From what “idols” and “vile images or other offenses” do you need to be cleansed?
3. These scriptures highlight God’s pursuit of his chosen people Israel. Given this glimpse of his character, what thoughts do you have about his pursuit of people in other countries and his capacity to bring peace when nations put him in the center of their plans? (John 12:32; Revelation 7: 9-11)

Prayer:

Dear God, as I reflect on your unrelenting pursuit of me and of other humans, made in your image, loved by you from before the beginning of time, I am overcome with gratitude. But I am also humbled.  Sometimes I continue to turn away or ignore you rather than falling into your arms of care.  Teach me more clearly how to get in step with you. Give me a relentless concern for others around me, especially those who may have been forgotten by the world because they are not part of the 99 who are seen and safe. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Additional scriptures: Isaiah 59:16-21 and Jeremiah 31:20, 31-34.

*New International Version of the Bible was used for scriptures in this piece.

Lent 2022: Repentance

Editor’s Note: Lent is a season of personal reflection. As Advent provides a time to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Lent offers us time to reflect on our sin, and the need for our Savior’s death and resurrection on the cross.

This year, our weekly reflections will focus on the mercy of God. In His goodness, God has displayed mercy towards us from the start. He knew sin would enter the world and created a means to have right-standing with Him. In the coming weeks, it is our hope that we each spend time remembering God’s mercy and His pursuit of us—from our sinfulness and need, to the institution of sacrifices for the Israelites, culminating with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. God has been always kind, always just, always loving, always merciful.

Previously we focused on our sin, which necessitates our need for mercy from God. This week we turn our focus to repentance. Repentance acts as a bridge—after we have recognized our sin, it is important that we turn back to God in repentance to receive the full measure of his mercy.

Proverbs 28:13

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,

    but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy

Psalm 32:1-5

1 Blessed is the one

    whose transgressions are forgiven,

    whose sins are covered.

2 Blessed is the one

    whose sin the Lord does not count against them

    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent,

    my bones wasted away

    through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night

    your hand was heavy on me;

my strength was sapped

    as in the heat of summer.

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you

    and did not cover up my iniquity.

I said, “I will confess

    my transgressions to the Lord.”

And you forgave

    the guilt of my sin.

Isaiah 1:16-20

16 Wash and make yourselves clean.

    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;

    stop doing wrong.

17 Learn to do right; seek justice.

    Defend the oppressed.

Take up the cause of the fatherless;

    plead the case of the widow.

18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”

    says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

    they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

    they shall be like wool.

19 If you are willing and obedient,

    you will eat the good things of the land;

20 but if you resist and rebel,

    you will be devoured by the sword.”

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Psalm 51

1 Have mercy on me, O God,

    according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

    blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity

    and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,

    and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned

    and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

    and justified when you judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth,

    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;

    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins

    and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence

    or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

    so that sinners will turn back to you.

14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

    you who are God my Savior,

    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15 Open my lips, Lord,

    and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

    a broken and contrite heart

    you, God, will not despise.

18 May it please you to prosper Zion,

    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,

    in burnt offerings offered whole;

    then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Reflect:

1. In these passages, sin refers to rebellion or violations of God's law. What sin currently has a grip on you? Can you acknowledge your sin to the Lord? Can you share your struggle with a trusted friend? Our Lord promises us forgiveness and release from sin’s grip if we will just acknowledge it and turn from it.

2. Have you felt the forgiveness of your Savior? Can you relate to David in Psalms 32 when he talks about the weight he felt from his sin and the contrast of that weight lifted once he repented?

Prayer:

Father, thank you that you are a God of mercy—a God of forgiveness.  Thank you for sending your Son to take on the weight and price of our sin so that we can be forgiven.  Father, you know us intimately and you know our struggles.  Praise the Lord that you call us into your presence, even in the midst of sin and shame.  Father, we ask that you would remind us of our sin; that you would push us to repentance.  Provide a trusted friend, spouse, or pastor that we can confide in.  We know that once sin is exposed it no longer has a hold on us.  It is exposed to the light (Ephesians 5:12-14).  Forgive us Lord for our failures.  Help us to strive toward holiness.  In your name we pray, Amen.

Lent 2022: Sacrifice

Editor’s Note: Lent is a season of personal reflection. As Advent provides a time to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Lent offers us time to reflect on our sin, and the need for our Savior’s death and resurrection on the cross.

This year, our weekly reflections will focus on the mercy of God. In His goodness, God has displayed mercy towards us from the start. He knew sin would enter the world and created a means to have right-standing with Him. In the coming weeks, it is our hope that we each spend time remembering God’s mercy and His pursuit of us—from our sinfulness and need, to the institution of sacrifices for the Israelites, culminating with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. God has been always kind, always just, always loving, always merciful. 

This week, we spend time reflecting on the institution of sacrifices. God, in His mercy, prescribed various sacrifices to allow His people to atone for their sins.

 Sacrifice

Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. This is how you are to deal with those who sin unintentionally by doing anything that violates one of the Lord’s commands.

3 “If the high priest sins, bringing guilt upon the entire community, he must give a sin offering for the sin he has committed. He must present to the Lord a young bull with no defects. 4 He must bring the bull to the Lord at the entrance of the Tabernacle, lay his hand on the bull’s head, and slaughter it before the Lord. 

5 The high priest will then take some of the bull’s blood into the Tabernacle, 6 dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord in front of the inner curtain of the sanctuary. 7 The priest will then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar for fragrant incense that stands in the Lord’s presence inside the Tabernacle. He will pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar for burnt offerings at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 

8 Then the priest must remove all the fat of the bull to be offered as a sin offering. This includes all the fat around the internal organs, 9 the two kidneys and the fat around them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver. He must remove these along with the kidneys, 10 just as he does with cattle offered as a peace offering and burn them on the altar of burnt offerings. 11 But he must take whatever is left of the bull—its hide, meat, head, legs, internal organs, and dung— 12 and carry it away to a place outside the camp that is ceremonially clean, the place where the ashes are dumped. There, on the ash heap, he will burn it on a wood fire.

13 “If the entire Israelite community sins by violating one of the Lord’s commands, but the people don’t realize it, they are still guilty. 14 When they become aware of their sin, the people must bring a young bull as an offering for their sin and present it before the Tabernacle. 15 The elders of the community must then lay their hands on the bull’s head and slaughter it before the Lord. 16 The high priest will then take some of the bull’s blood into the Tabernacle, 17 dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord in front of the inner curtain. 

18 He will then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar for fragrant incense that stands in the Lord’s presence inside the Tabernacle. He will pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar for burnt offerings at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 

19 Then the priest must remove all the animal’s fat and burn it on the altar, 20 just as he does with the bull offered as a sin offering for the high priest. Through this process, the priest will purify the people, making them right with the Lord, and they will be forgiven. 21 Then the priest must take what is left of the bull and carry it outside the camp and burn it there, just as is done with the sin offering for the high priest. This offering is for the sin of the entire congregation of Israel.

22 “If one of Israel’s leaders sins by violating one of the commands of the Lord his God but doesn’t realize it, he is still guilty. 23 When he becomes aware of his sin, he must bring as his offering a male goat with no defects. 

24 He must lay his hand on the goat’s head and slaughter it at the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered before the Lord. This is an offering for his sin. 25 Then the priest will dip his finger in the blood of the sin offering and put it on the horns of the altar for burnt offerings. He will pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. 

26 Then he must burn all the goat’s fat on the altar, just as he does with the peace offering. Through this process, the priest will purify the leader from his sin, making him right with the Lord, and he will be forgiven.

27 “If any of the common people sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands, but they don’t realize it, they are still guilty. 28 When they become aware of their sin, they must bring as an offering for their sin a female goat with no defects. 29 They must lay a hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered. 

30 Then the priest will dip his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the altar for burnt offerings. He will pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. 31 Then he must remove all the goat’s fat, just as he does with the fat of the peace offering. He will burn the fat on the altar, and it will be a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Through this process, the priest will purify the people, making them right with the Lord, and they will be forgiven.

32 “If the people bring a sheep as their sin offering, it must be a female with no defects. 33 They must lay a hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered. 34 Then the priest will dip his finger in the blood of the sin offering and put it on the horns of the altar for burnt offerings. He will pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. 

35 Then he must remove all the sheep’s fat, just as he does with the fat of a sheep presented as a peace offering. He will burn the fat on the altar on top of the special gifts presented to the Lord. Through this process, the priest will purify the people from their sin, making them right with the Lord, and they will be forgiven.

Leviticus 4, emphasis added

Reflect:

1.     Why was such a violent, painful, and bloody offering required by God to make atonement for sin?

2.     Why didn’t God have his people perform another ritual or ceremony that didn’t require death?

3.     How do these requirements reveal how pure and holy He is?

4.     How does the sacrifices required by God show how He views our sin?

5.     How do these sacrifice requirements foreshadow the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross?

Psalm 139:24 says,

    “Search me, O God and know my heart, test me and know my thoughts.  Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting.”

Additional scripture: Leviticus 5:17-19, 6:1-7; Psalm 51:16-19

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

   You are pure and holy.  Search my heart and know my thoughts.  Open my eyes to the sin in my life.  Help me to turn from it and respond to Your love.  Each day, make me the living sacrifice You’ve called me to be, so that all may see Jesus in me and know how much You love them. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.