Psalm 91:1-2, 4-16; Luke 4: 1-13 Psalm 91 talks about having great trust in the Lord. It tells how God is our refuge–protection or shelter from danger and distress. Going along with this theme of protection is the image of being safely surrounded by a fortress. Because of this we are told that no evil will befall us. The idea of guardian angels comes from this passage when it says, “The Lord will command God’s angels concerning you to guard in all your ways. They will bear you up so you won’t even dash your foot against a stone.” The Lord will protect those who know God’s name and when they call God will answer – will be them in trouble, will rescue, honor them, and show them God’s salvation. Our Luke account tells of the Temptation of Christ. I am impressed by how Jesus when tempted with food after a 40 day fast, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 8:3 “Thou shall not live by bread alone.” When the devil tempts him with power only if he will worship him, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:13 saying ...

Exodus 34:29-35; II Corinthians 3:12-18 This Sunday was Transfiguration Sunday which celebrates the time Jesus and his disciples went up to the mountain to pray. Jesus begins to shine brightly and is seen in conversation with Elijah and Moses. Our Exodus account talks about Moses experience with talking directly with God and returning with a shining face so bright it scared the Israelites. After telling the people God’s commandments for them he puts a veil over his face until he talks with God again.   Our Corinthians passage uses this figurative language of a spiritual veil saying that the Israelite minds have been hardened and a veil lies over their minds. Paul goes on to say that in Christ the veil has been set aside since when one turns to the Lord the veil is removed. He goes on to say that where the Spirit of the Lord is – who we receive when we turn to the Lord – is freedom. We are freed from having to submit to the law – accomplishing everything on it to earn our salvat...

Psalms 37:1-11, 39-40; Luke 6:27-38 Psalm 37 tells about trusting in the Lord and not being envious or fretful of evil doers. Anger, wrath, and fretfulness are said to lead to evil. Instead, we are to put our trust in the Lord and live God’s righteous ways. We are to do good as we live on the land and enjoy its security. The opposite of envying those who prosper is to delight in the Lord who will give you the desires of your heart – what you truly need. When we trust God and turn the evildoers over to the Lord, God will vindicate us – our vindication shining as the light and the justice of our cause like the noon day sun. The psalmist promises that the wicked will be cut off and will soon fade like grass. But those who wait patiently for the Lord shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant prosperity. Jesus goes further in our Luke passage – telling us not to just turn our enemies over to God but to love and forgive them. He says to do unto others as you would like th...

Psalm 1, Luke 6:17-26 Psalm 1 tells us where true happiness comes from. First it tells us where it doesn’t come from. It doesn’t come from following the advice of the wicked or taking the path that sinners tread or sitting with those who are disrespectful to God. Instead, it is when you delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. It compares them to a tree by water which yields fruit and prospers in all they do. In contrast are the wicked who are said to be like chaff that the wind blows away. The Lord watches the way of the righteous but the way of the wicked will perish. Our Luke passage is a familiar passage known as the Beatitudes. We have all learned it as “Blessed are,” but other translation like the CEB here translate it as, “Happy are.” It is interesting comparing Jesus’ words on who is happy with what is said in Psalm 1. Jesus doesn’t seem to make much sense saying happy are the poor, the hungry, and those who weep. Yet Jesus tells them why they are ...

  Psalm 138, I Corinthians 15:1-11   Psalm 138 is a great Psalm of praise for God’s steadfast love, faithfulness, and protection. He tells how when he called to the Lord, God answered him increasing the strength of his soul to endure the hard times. He talks about walking in the midst of trouble, yet God preserves him against the wrath of his enemies. God’s right hand delivers him. What the Psalmist sees in all this that God has a purpose for him and due to all of God’s blessings he has faith that the Lord will fulfill this purpose. Yet he ends saying, “Don’t forsake the work of your hands.” In Corinthians Paul tells what the good news is. This news he has been called to preach. It is his purpose as an apostle. He calls himself the least of the apostles saying he was unfit since he used to persecute the church of God. What a turnaround! One who persecuted God’s church now proclaiming it. He reflects what the Psalmist says in Psalm 138 about the Lord regarding the lowly. ...

Jeremiah 1:4-10, I Corinthians 13:1-13 In the first chapter of Jeremiah the prophet himself tells of his call. The Lord tells him how he was consecrated before he was born to be appointed a prophet. Jeremiah like Moses says, “I don’t know how to speak.” Jeremiah is just a boy which he points out to God. In return God tells him not to say this since he will go where God sends him and speak what God commands. God tells him not to be afraid because he is with him and will deliver him. Then touching his mouth God tells him, “I have put my words in your mouth” and tells him he’s been appointed over nations and kingdoms. So how does this passage go along with the famous love chapter of I Corinthians 13? Well, this exhortation of love follows passages in the previous chapter which talks about spiritual gifts and how everyone has one. If we reflect on the Jeremiah passage we have been consecrated to one of them before we were born. Prophecy is one of the gifts mentioned. In fact, it is giv...