Anything

"At that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem," Luke 2:38.

Who did this? Anna, a prophetess. The nonagenarian who lived at the temple. What did she do there? Worship God, fasting and praying. Day and night. When did she come up to Jesus' parents like this? When they came to the Jerusalem temple for the customary post-partum rituals. And what did she talk about? First, she gave God thanks. Second, she talked about their child, Jesus. To whom did she talk? To anybody there looking forward for Jerusalem's deliverance. What does that mean? These people hoped that God would do something. For Jerusalem. That is, for Jerusalem as it represented God's people. Which is to say, these people's only hope rested in God's doing something. Anything at all. And Anna said: See this child? God's doing it!

With a brother or sister today, we reflect on God's faithful, steady work throughout the ages, despite our cycles of warmth or coldness to him. And, together, we marvel in thanksgiving for this God who remains so loyal for our hope.

Something

"Rachel, weeping for her children, will not be comforted for they are not," Matthew 2:18.

How to console a mother who's lost a child? You can't. Days pass. Years pass. Can't be done. A lifetime passes. The now old woman remembers: wasn't it only yesterday they were playing peek-a-boo? No consolation. King Herod slaughtered innocent children in his search-and-destroy mission against the child Jesus. His wake left grieving mothers. When Jesus' parents had brought him to the temple for certain cultural rituals of the law, old man Simeon took the child in his arms, prophesied about Jesus, then told Mary a sword would pierce her own soul. How did it feel when she stood at the foot of the cross? Indeed. Jesus was born into a world without consolation. To bring hope. Hope that God would do something. Hope's about what you don't see. About God bringing the children back, tomorrow.

With a brother or sister today we speak of what we don't experience yet: the consummation of God's promises. So, together, we give thanks to God for what we do not yet see.

Reckon

"The parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him according to the custom of the law," Luke 2:27.

What's with this custom of the Law? It's kind of complex, but here's the quick of it. Two things. Thing 1: Jesus, first-born male to open Mary's womb, had to be redeemed by killing an animal, usually a lamb, in sacrifice. (This expressed Hebrew cultural memory of freedom from Egyptian slavery, right?). Thing 2: Every Hebrew woman, after giving birth to boy or girl, had to separate herself from certain religious activities for several weeks, and then had to sacrifice two animals, a lamb and a pigeon, in purification and sin-offering rituals so that she might re-assume all her privileges. So, now, Jesus about 6 weeks old, it's time for all those sacrifices. They're presenting the animals that the priest will sacrifice at the temple. Oh, and the law allowed that if you were poor you killed pigeons instead of lambs. They were poor. This snapshot gives a tiny slice of everyday life under the Law's detail. It tells of deeply purposed effort to buy redemption, to secure purification, and to reckon for sin.

With a brother or sister today we live in a new covenant with God because of Jesus' complete yielding to all the customs of the law. And, together, we rejoice in praise to our God for his grace that covers all our sin.

Circumcised

"I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you," Genesis 17:7.

God's talking here to Abraham. God's setting up an agreement between himself and Abraham. What are the terms of the agreement? First, God will be God to Abraham and his offspring. Second, God will multiply Abraham as the father of nations. Third, God will give Abraham and descendants rich land. Why? Because he's their God. And he wants to. Fourth, Abraham and all his offspring males must be circumcised in the flesh of their foreskins. God was pretty specific and insistent on this cultural practice. Every 8-day old baby boy, and any older male who wanted to be part of the agreement had to be circumcised. If they didn't cut off the foreskin, they themselves were cut off from their culture. So that day, 99-year old Abraham got circumcised, and his 13-year old son Ishmael, and every other male, slave or free, in his household got circumcised. And most every male born or adopted into Abraham's lineage from that day. That was the agreement. And 2000 years later, the newborn baby boy placed in that manger, offspring of Abraham, was circumcised on his 8th day of life. That's the day, in keeping with the angel's instruction, they named him Jesus.

As we reflect with a brother or sister today, 2000 more years later, we realize God's plans play out in a different scale and scope than we would imagine. And, together, we give thanks to God who circumcised us all spiritually in Christ when we were buried and raised with Christ in baptism.

Purposes

"I sacrifice to the Lord all the males that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem," Exodus 13:15.

A little Bible history lesson. A Hebrew father spoke these words to his son who might ask why his father killed all those animals. The father would explain that the killing of the first-born male animals stood as a reminder of the great cost of their freedom from Egyptian slavery. God's mighty power had killed all the first-born males (including people) of Egypt. And why did God act so? Because the king of Egypt refused to let their Hebrew slaves worship God. So, by divine will, all first-born Hebrew males belonged to God and not to their families. They belonged for God's own purposes. However. The Hebrews must not kill children in sacrifice. Never, ever. Instead, they must pay a redemption price for first-born baby boys. So, throughout the following centuries uncountable hundreds of thousands of animals had to pay the price as a reminder for the cost of freedom. Jesus was the first-born male to open Mary's womb. Lamb of God.

As we consider the cost of freedom from sin with a brother or sister today, we kneel at the pierced feet of Jesus. And, together, we marvel in thanksgiving for the price of our redemption.

Invasives

"He himself is our peace having made us both one," Ephesians 2:14.

So, who's the He he's talking about? Jesus. And who is Us both? Jews and Gentiles. Ins and outs. White boys and girls. Black boys and girls. Brown boys and girls. Americans. Mexicans. Europeans. Asians. Natives. Invasives. Doesn't really matter who the Both are. What matters is that Jesus has made us both one. He broke down dividing walls. He abolished the cultural rules that divide. He killed the hostility. Jesus made peace between us. Jesus reconciled us both to each other. Jesus replaced the white man. Jesus replaced the black man. Jesus replaced the both with himself. One man in the place of the two. And Jesus presented us in his very one self to God. Jesus reconciled us to God. Through his body. Through that one body in the manger, crucified. Jesus gave us both access to the Father. In one Spirit. We belong to God. Jesus came and preached Peace to you who are near, Peace to you who are far away. Sky kingdom.

As we see each other today, brothers and sisters, we see God dwelling in us, his one temple. And, together, in one Spirit we say: Welcome, Father, into your home. The church of Christ.

Trimester

"And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Luke 1:43.

When they met, that's what the elderly Elizabeth said to her visiting cousin, the unmarried teen Mary. Each carried their first babies in their respective wombs. Elizabeth was in her third trimester, Mary in her first. Mary's would become known as Jesus, Son of God, Elizabeth's would become the prophet, John the Baptizer. Anyway. When Elizabeth first heard Mary's greeting voice, the baby in her womb jumped for joy. (That's what Elizabeth told Mary right then and there.) So Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied about her Lord and his mother, pronouncing each Blessed! (Jesus would later say of Elizabeth that no woman ever gave birth to a greater man.) Ah! But we digress. Meanwhile. The point. She said, The mother of my Lord. We've seen this before, haven't we? How is that unborn baby her Lord, an aging woman? (And how in the world did the other unborn baby recognize him?!!)

As we, brothers and sisters, receive the Word become flesh coming to us in grace and truth, we take off our shoes in wonder. We're on holy ground. We whisper, Thank you. We bow together, humbled by this incredible God who extends to us his peace offering.

Prepared

"You have prepared a body for me," Hebrews 10:5.

Who spoke here? Christ. Whom did he address? God. When did he say this? When he came into the world. And what did God prepare for Christ ushering his birth? A body. That baby, knit in her womb, fruit of Mary's womb, was God's doing. And, as son of God, what did that baby growing, growing, grown, do? He did God's will just like the Book said he would. Boy, pre-teen, teenager, young man, mature man: He came to do - to do - God's will. To live out a real life as a real man as no man ever before had done or has done since. To go around doing good. To present the very stamp of God's nature in a human body to humans. To render redeemed humans holy through the offering of his body in utter obedience to the Father's will. To represent us humans in the presence of God, Creator of worlds. And in doing God's will he established the second covenant: Peace on earth among men with whom God's pleased. And with whom is he pleased? With those persons who choose Jesus as their human representative to God.

We bow with a brother or sister awed by the marvel of Jesus who loved God so as to do his will and loved us so as to become one of us. And, in thanksgiving together we elect Jesus, to do his will.

Big

"The Lord says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand," Psalm 110:1.

A big deal goes on here. David, prophet and writer of this psalm, witnessed the Lord Jehovah God speak to David's descendant, the Messiah, whom David calls his Lord. But the Messiah, the Christ, would not be born for about a millennium yet. So, roughly a thousand years later, Jesus took up this same psalm written by his ancestor, and asked his contemporaries: How can David call his descendant his Lord? That is: How can anyone be under the rule of their descendant? Which is to say: How in the world could the baby in that famous manger be Lord of his ancestor? Were they alive at the same time? To put it another way: Which of your dead ancestors do you rule? Which of them speak of you as their ruler? With men it is impossible. But with God all things are possible. Really big deal.

With a brother or sister today, we are taken aback by the timeless peace God establishes with Jesus at his side. And, together, thankfully, in wonder, we yield our lives to Christ Jesus as our Lord. Sky kingdom.

Labor

"And he shall be their peace," Micah 5:5.

Who's to be their peace? A certain ruler in Israel, among God's people. And where's this ruler from? Bethlehem. A little village in Judah. So what's the ruler's lineage? His origin goes way back. Way back. Micah prophesied in the 8th century before Jesus' birth. And Micah noted that in his own day the ruler's origin was from old, ancient days. But would come a time future to Micah when a woman in labor would give birth. Her child would become a shepherd in the strength of Jehovah God. He would stand in the majesty of God. And his greatness would secure the people's safety to the ends of the earth. But when Micah spoke the people were then under siege. It didn't look good. Not good at all. But Micah prophesied. And Jesus came. In God's timing. The Good Shepherd shepherds God's own back into his peace.

Despite deep, momentary afflictions, we visit with a brother or sister today to enjoy the peace Jesus secured for us. And, together, we speak thanksgiving to our God's praises.

Breathe

"Into your hand I commit my spirit," Psalm 31:5.

Dear Lord Jehovah God, you have redeemed us! What else may we do than turn our spirits to you? To turn toward you the very breath we breathe? Your steadfast love fills us with joy, we are glad! You know our affliction. You know the distress of our souls. And you have delivered us from the evil one. Indeed, you have set our feet on a high plain. We trust in you, O God. You are our God. The time of our lives rests in your hand. You've rescued us over and again. Your goodness flows over your people who've taken refuge in you. Everybody knows this. You heard our pleas for mercy when we needed help. We love you, Lord! You preserve us. We take heart from you. We grow in courage. We wait for you joyfully!

We remind each other, brother or sister, to turn our very selves over to God. We do so joyfully awaiting Jesus' appearing in the sky. And, together, our spirits give thanks with our every breath.

Timing

"Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ whom he will unveil at the right time," 1 Timothy 6:14.

Who's doing the unveiling? The Blessed and only Sovereign. That's Who. The King of kings. The Lord of lords. The only One owning immortality. The One who gives life. The One who dwells in unapproachable light. The One no one has ever seen. The One whom no one has the capacity to see. That's who. God. What's He unveiling? The appearing of Jesus. And what's there to do until that moment? Keep the commandment. What commandment? Fight the good fight of the faith. What fight's that? Making and living out the confession. What confession? The good one: God made the dead Jesus alive and made him both Lord and Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

And so we wait for that unveiling with a brother or sister today as we hear Jesus' call for perseverance. And, together, we rejoice in the blessed assurance of God's right timing.

Offended

"Blessed is the one who is not offended by me," Luke 7:23.

Offended? Offended by Jesus? How in the world do you get offended by Jesus? Well, if God's sent you out to preach repentance to a hell-bound world, and if you've been doing that very thing, and if a king finds your message disturbing, and if you're now in jail, and if it turns out that you'll be beheaded for your preaching, and if you hear that Jesus isn't preaching hell-fire and damnation but heals a foreigner's slave and gives life to some widow woman's kid, and if you hear that Jesus is everybody's darling, well then, that might give you pause about Jesus. But here's the cool thing: Jesus considers John the baptizer (that's who we've been talking about) to be the greatest ever - that is, no other human's greater. Yes. And John finds blessing despite his (earthly) outcome. No offense taken.

With a brother or sister today, we find no offense by Jesus, rather, we joy in the blessing of Jesus' purification. And, together in joyful praise, we bask in the blessing he pronounced.

Striding

"The Lord's nearby!" Philippians 4:5.

So, what? Rejoice! Be glad! Be cheerful! Be happy! Be jubilant! Have delight! How often should joy take the hour? Always! So, what comes of that? We be gentle, kind. Express sweet reasonableness to everybody. Instead of what? Anxiety. Worry. Vexation. Distress. Fret. Panic. So, how not to do that? We talk to him - he's right here! Pray about all the worrisome stuff. All of it. And thank him. Thank him? For what? God's unreasoned peace flowing over us. For his truth (not lies), for honorable things (not the gossip news), for justice (not our inequities), for purity (not cynicism), for what's fine (not the rot), for excellence (not failure). In short: Focus our minds clearly on praiseworthy things. And we rejoice in his peace!

As we comfort a brother or sister today with joy, we remind each other that Jesus walks just ahead of us nearby in hand's reach. And, together, we give thanks for the joy striding ahead of us.

Kiss

"Righteousness and peace kiss each other," Psalm 85:10.

Yes! That's what happens when God, Jehovah God, speaks peace to his people. That's what happens when God revives his people and they rejoice in him. When God shows his steadfast love. When God grants his salvation. Oh, Yeah! We will not turn back to our former follies! We want to hear you speak, O God! Your salvation comes, your glory comes to dwell in the land. Your eternal mercy and your loyalty to your people unite to yield the good. Our hope and joy lodge in your love and compassion, not in the passing fortunes of earth's power struggles. You, O God, you alone grace our land. You alone restore, you forgive, you cover our sin. Jesus is come to save us.

With a brother or sister today, even in the midst of troubles, we bask joyfully in God's sure salvation. And, together, we witness justice and peace hand in hand: Thank you, dear God!

Incredible

"He will sing and be joyful about you," Zephaniah 3:17.

Who will sing? The Lord your God, Jehovah God. Creator of the skies and the earth and everything in them. Singing about whom? About his people. About you. Can we imagine the scene? Think about it for a moment. I mean, think about it! All people throughout the ages, ever, who have loved and trusted God, gathered together in his presence! And what's God doing? This God? This God who upholds the entire cosmos in his hand? This God who knows every bird that lights on the ground? This God who led people out of slavery? This God who conceived a baby in Mary's womb? This God whose son was slaughtered by cruel men? This God who exhibited his phenomenal power by raising Jesus from the dead? This God, Sovereign Lord of skies and seas, seating his son to rule at his right hand side? What's this God doing? He's thrown his head back and is singing with all his joy. Over you.

Wildly humbled, with a brother or sister today, we stand in awe of this God, lover of our souls, who takes delight in us. And, together, we experience a thankful joy that cannot be measured for this incredible God.

Rhythms

"Your love continues forever. Your loyalty goes on and on like the sky," Psalm 89:2.

Dear God: the skies praise your mighty deeds! They declare your faithfulness across the night heavens! No one compares to you throughout the vast universe. The rhythms of the stars and planets do not compare to your song, O Lord! Nothing out there stands up against your loyalty to your people. To your steadfast love. You rule raging seas. Tsunamis rise but you lay them down to quiet rest. Monsters of the deep fade away in your crushing hand. Your mighty arm undoes all terrors. The skies belong to you. You own the earth. North and south originate with you. Everest and Denali praise you, their maker. Your throne, O God, rests on righteousness and justice. Steadfast love and faithfulness usher you in. And people walking in the light of your face find bliss. Praise you, O God!

With a brother or sister today, we tell of God's loving, faithful work to purify his people. And, together, we give thanks for his astounding love and faithfulness.

Get-go

"Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world," Matthew 25:34.

Did we hear that line? Prepared for you. For you! Since when? Since the foundation of the cosmos. Ten-thousand or ten gazillion years ago. Doesn't matter one whit: prepared for you from the get-go, from since God's wisdom founded creation. And what to inherit? The kingdom. His kingdom. And on what basis does the Lord Jesus say to you, Come! It's yours!? Because He was hungry and you gave Him food. Because He was thirsty and you gave Him drink. Because He was a foreigner and you welcomed Him. Because He was naked and you gave Him clothes. Because He was in jail and you visited Him. Hmm? When did that happen? When you did it to one of the least of His siblings, you did it to Him. He's prepared it forever ago: We prepare for it by serving Him.

In serving one another, brothers or sisters, we answer Jesus' invitation to enter the kingdom. And, together, we give thanks for the honor to share in the sky kingdom's work. Praise the Lord!

Dense

"Bear fruits in keeping with repentance," Luke 3:8.

Ever wonder about what to do while waiting for Jesus to appear in the skies? About how to prepare for his coming? Well, there it is. The big metaphor presents a town getting ready for its king's arrival: the road into town's repaired, the landslide removed, that sharp bend straightened, pot holes filled. OK. So away from metaphor to real life. First: don't rely on your honorable ancestry. God can make dense rocks generate new people if he wants. Second: Got two coats? share one with one without one. Third: Somebody owe you? don't take more than they owe. Fourth: Got power? don't bully your way. Fifth: Got a job? be happy with your wages. That's what getting ready looks like. Getting purified.

We remind each other today, brother or sister, that our king's coming and we're getting ready for that purifying event! And, together, we give thanks that he's coming for us.

Caused

"So that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ," Philippians 1:10.

So that. In order that. Some earlier cause had happened in order that this later effect should result. What was the later thing, the result? Well, what it said: Your purity and blamelessness. OK. So what was the earlier cause? Your supporting what is excellent. In its turn, caused by the overflow of your love - alongside overflow of knowledge and discernment. In its turn, caused by partnership in grace in the gospel. In its turn, caused by God. God. God began a good work in you (all his people). And God will complete that good work in you (in all his people!) the day Jesus appears. So that what? So that the fruit of good and right living in Jesus will fill you full to the brim. God started it, God will finish it.

As we visit with a brother or sister today, we remind each other that God began a good work in us, that God will bring his purity into the fruit of his labors in us. So, together, we give thanks joyfully anticipating the day of Christ.

Assayers

"We went through fire and through water, yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance," Psalm 66:12.

This, a remarkable affirmation of God's awesome deeds. God has brought his people through treacherous arroyos to vast grasslands. So the psalmist starts off with calls for joy to God, glorious praises to God throughout the earth, singing praises to God, noticing what wonders God has done, and on and on. And. And the psalmist, without apology, also notes that God did the testing. God tested the people like assayers test silver. God brought them into a net. God laid a crushing burden on their backs. God led them through fire and water. Purifying does not feel good. No. Jesus' cross wasn't a bit of fun. Yet it completed God's cleansing work in the hearts of men and women of faith.

As we meet (virtually or however) with a brother or sister today, we speak of God's marvelous works that, through suffering, yielded purity and abundance for us. And, together, in faithful joy, we give thanks as we praise God.

Dross

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver," Malachi 3:3.

Who's the refiner? The Lord God, Jehovah. Who'll be refined? God's people. Nobody can avoid it. It takes hot heat to slag away the dross. Careful control purifies without destroying precious gold and silver. Just so, God's refining fire purifies carefully. It brings swift witness against any failing to fear God. How do they show that they don't fear God? Here's what it says: sorcerers, adulterers, liars; whoever oppresses the hired workers, or the widows, or the fatherless, or the foreigners. But God's fire will not consume his people. No. Not at all. Rather, now purified, they return to God offering themselves. And he turns to them, his precious treasure.

We remind each other today, brother or sister, of Christ's cross that controlled for the purifying heat. And, sanctified together in his Spirit, we give grateful praise to our holy God.

Proven

"God has poured out his love to fill our hearts," Romans 5:5.

So what does this do? It shows that hope will not shame us. Yes. God's love was poured out through his Holy Spirit whom he gave us. So this hope will never disappoint us. This hope arose from our character tested by God. And how did God prove our character? Through our endurance. Through hanging in there. Through steadfastness. But persevering through what? Yes. Well. Through suffering. (Don't like suffering!). But we know joy even through suffering. Why?! Because we hope to see the glory of God! And that hope arises because Jesus Christ our Lord has given us access to God's grace by our faith in him! And so we have peace with God. Proven hope. Faith. Grace. Love.

With a brother or sister today, even through suffering, we express our joy for God's love poured into us. And, together, we give thanks to our God for proving our hope. Praise You, God!

Ascribed

"We ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness," Galatians 5:5.

Circumcision was a big deal among God's covenant people. A really big deal. God told Abraham it was the sign of the covenant. Moses came within moments of dying without Zipporah's intercession on account of it. The Law commanded for every Israelite male to be circumcised on the 8th day of their lives on earth. People of the covenant divided the world into two parts, the ins and outs: the circumcised and the uncircumcised. Quick check: No need for passports. And now, suddenly, in the new covenant, no circumcision. Instead, baptism into Christ. All who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Male or female. Through the Spirit. By faith. We wait eagerly. For righteousness. For its hope. Big deal. Sky kingdom.

Visiting with a brother or sister today we affirm faith working through love in Christ. That's what counts now. And, together, we give thanks as we yearn for Jesus' righteousness ascribed to us.

Stones

"The whole crowd of followers was very happy; they began shouting praise to God," Luke 19:37.

What was going on? What made them so happy? The king was coming! He had crested the hill over there! The surging crowds made way for the king. He was coming! He was near! Thousands and thousands shouted mightily: Blessed, the King coming in the name of the Lord! The stones of the hillsides, the stones of the buildings trembled with the crowd's roar: In heaven, Peace! In the highest places, Glory! Their thunder of praises filled the valleys and leveled the rough places. Their welcome opened a highway. A highway for Jesus' entry into town. [That's what Sunday is about: Jesus' thankful church, in union proclaiming Jesus' death, anticipating Jesus' live appearing. Until he come. Hope.]

When we commune with a brother or sister today we talk of heaven and of sure hope in our King coming in the name of the Lord. And, together, we give joyful thanks to God for the promises.

Appears

"You will be without fault before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus appears with all his holy people," 1 Thessalonians 3:13.

This is a prayer. A prayer about God's promise and our hope. So: who'll be without fault? Jesus' people. And who counts them blameless? God. Our God and Father. How did Jesus' people get blameless? Their Lord (Jesus) made them grow and overflow with love for each other - in fact, grow with love for everyone! Their Lord (Jesus) presented them holy to God. When? Well, it's a future moment - remember, this is a prayer. He would establish their hearts in holiness when Jesus will appear with all his other saints. The promise: Jesus will appear, and every eye will see him. Our salvation hope.

When we talk with a brother or sister today, we encourage one another to grow in Jesus' holiness. And, together, with thanksgiving, we set our eyes upward in the hope of his appearing.

Relief

"None who wait for you shall be put to shame," Psalm 25:3.

Really, now? What about all those people who waited fruitlessly? Who waited believing that you, O God, would provide? Who waited, but who died? Some of them persecuted miserably? They didn't get what was promised. What about them? Yeah. This is a problem. Really - it's a problem for us who live today. But not for them. No, here's the deal about them: They refused relief from the harrowing suffering because. Because they anticipated resurrection. Rising again to a better life. Hope. And because. Because God, their God, provided something even better for them than this world's ease. God planned for them not to get complete without you. We, together with them, are part of God's promises. God provided us with them for them to teach us what it means to hope in God and not in earth's comforts.

With a brother or sister today we wait, with the cloud of witnesses who've waited for us, in mutual hope. And, together, giving thanks, we wait for God to fulfill his sure promises.

Encapsulates

"The Lord says: The time is coming when I will do the things I promised," Jeremiah 33:14.

That line encapsulates our times. God promises. We hope. But wait! This hope is not like wishing to win the lottery. No. That kind of dead hope just wishes foolishly against all odds. It fails to tell of the thousands whose odds were exactly that: The house wins; they lose. And they walk away feeling the feeling of fools. No. Our hope rests in a God who does not gamble against our lives. Our hope nests in the God who banks on our sure gain. Who promises faithfully to secure our safety and salvation through Jesus' resurrection. Who's for us, not against us. A living hope.

With a brother or sister today, we talk of God's faithfulness and the guarantee of our hope: Jesus. And, together, we anticipate fulfillment of God's gracious plans. Yeah.

Anticipatory

"My whole being wants to be with the living God," Psalm 84:2.

Yes, O Lord Jehovah! Your home brings beauty all around it. Joy for you, the living God, inspires my deepest self. Even sparrows and swallows find their home in your courtyards, right around your altars, O my King and God! People alive in your palace - these blessed people! They sing your praises forever. They find their strength in you, whoever makes their way to Zion, your home! As we keep getting closer to home, we get stronger and stronger. You change valleys on the way home into refreshing way-stations. We long for you, our hearts, our souls yearn for home. O, what joy we anticipate in your presence, God of our forebears!

As we visit today with a brother or sister, fellow travelers, we point each other ahead, to home, forgoing frontage roads to nowhere. And, together, we sing anticipatory praises to you, our Savior.

Refined

"With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king," Psalm 45:15.

What king? The king whose God anointed him with the oil of gladness. The Anointed one. The Messiah. Christ. The king, Jesus, who rode out victoriously for the cause of truth, of humility, and righteousness. (You know that song, Out Of Ivory Palaces? Yes, well, this psalm is where that line comes from.) Here's the interesting part: Who's being led into the king's palace? The queen and her royal entourage. She's a beauty. A refined beauty. Lavish garments flow around her. What a celebration! She's left her people and family to be with this king. And the King desires her beauty. She bows to the King. He will make her name famous everywhere forever. So what's her name? Bride of Christ. The Church.

With a brother or sister today we speak of the coming banquet feast of the Lamb with his Bride. And, together, always together, his congregation, we give thanks to God and his Christ who cleansed us and sanctified us fit for his kingdom.

Up

"My kingdom is not of this world," John 18:36.

I have a hard time hearing my Lord, so he often has to say the thing twice for me to hear it. So, in this one verse, he said it at the start, then he said it again at the end: My kingdom is not of this world. In fact, in order to be heard, he even provides a contrast sandwiched between the twofold declaration. In between he said: If my kingdom were of this world - then my agents would fight and defend me. The governor grilling Jesus at this point asked, You're a king? Jesus answered, You said it. I was born for this purpose. I came here for this purpose. I bear witness to the truth. Anybody captured by truth hears me. Eking out his meaning, slowly I begin to hear him. Kingdom of heaven. It's really, really different from earth's ways.

We join with a brother or sister today, thankfully, to hear the truth of our King, Jesus. And, together, we give thanks for receiving a kingdom whose roots go up, into the sky.

Uncommon

"In God's love, keep yourselves anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ into eternal life," Jude 21.

And on what basis should we keep expecting life forever? God's love. Jesus' mercy. We've been waiting a while for this, so what do we do as we keep watch for what's not yet here? Extend mercy. To whom? to doubters. To whom? to those caught in the fire. To whom? to soiled people. (We extend the mercy to others that we anticipate for ourselves, right?). Anything else to do while we wait? Yes. Get built up with each other's holy faith, Yes! Anything else? Pray with each other in the Holy Spirit, Yes! Beloved, we are loved by God. The loved people. Beloved. So we anticipate, we encourage.

We meet today with a brother or sister and share our uncommon, holy faith that we have in common. We pray with each other. And, together, we offer thanksgivings for God's love and Jesus' mercy. All the way into eternal life.

Rapid

"Lord, your kingdom was set up long ago. You are everlasting," Psalm 93:2.

The short psalm makes a brief statement that can be read quickly to its speedy end, moving swiftly through rapid metaphors about rushing waters to tell the bullet points: (bam!) trustworthy decrees, (bam!) holiness, (bam!) infinitude. A fast read. Doesn't waste our precious time. To tell of our patient God who alone owns eternity and waits for his children to visit with him before time's up.

Today, with a brother or sister, we visit, together, with our God and offer thanks for time's gift, and for eternity in Jesus' sky kingdom.

Destiny

"My salvation will be forever," Isaiah 51:6.

But before getting to that, consider your ancestors. Your forebears. Your beginnings. Yes: Where'd you come from? Consider the rock from which you were cut; the quarry from which you were dug. Indeed. Look to Abraham. (Wait a minute! To Abraham? We're no descendants of Abraham! Nor of Sarah!) Yes, indeed. To Abraham. Your father. (Our father?!) To Sarah. Who bore you. (Bore us?!). Exactly! When people who seek the Lord get their new start in Christ, their roots get replanted. Replanted into the heritage God has cultivated for the past 4 thousand years. That's what new birth is about. Getting born again into God's family. The family he started with one man of faith and his offspring. Our past is not our destiny. God's past is. Sky kingdom.

As we converse with a brother or sister today, we reflect on God's work to make us family. And, together, we give thanks for his eternal salvation in Christ, offspring of Abraham.

Dregs

"At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity," Psalm 75:2.

God, God alone, appoints the Day of Accounting. And he will judge fairly. When the earth itself, with all its peoples stumbles, God steadies it - no shaking of the continents will preempt God's set time. He braces the earth until he's ready. He speaks to braggarts, to boasters: Don't. Don't think your clever awards preclude God's timing. God's accounting will give awards and demerits, lifting up and putting down, as he alone discerns with equity. Earth's wicked will drink the cup of God's justice to the last drop of the dregs. Just like Jesus did: condemned, shamed, crucified, mocked, displayed for ridicule. But Jesus drank it for us. So that on that Day, God's equity will grace those who trust him with a pass.

We visit humbly with a brother or sister today, grateful for equity, grateful for Jesus' amazing love for God. And, together, we bow in utter thanksgiving to God who lifts us up like he raised up Jesus. Sky kingdom.

Winds

"He will gather his chosen together from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky," Mark 13:27.

Now that's the End. The end of what? The end of history. And what's he going to do? He's going to collect, to assemble, to pull together every single person he has chosen. But what if they're scattered throughout the world or even in the skies? He'll get'em all. Every single one, from every single direction the winds scattered them. Not one of his elect will be left out. Hmm. So who's doing this? The Son of Man. Jesus. When? when the sun gets dark, when the moon doesn't shine, when the stars fall from the skies. When the Risen Christ shows up in clouds. Blasting light everywhere. So. When? Real soon. Be ready. Salvation comes.

We encourage one another, brother or sister, in preparation of our Lord's appearing. He will collect his chosen. We have chosen him; and, together, we bless the one and only imperishable God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Conspiracies

"Do not be alarmed," Mark 13:7.

Says who? Jesus. Says Jesus. OK. Don't be alarmed about what? When you hear of wars. When you hear rumors of wars. When you hear about nations against nations. When you hear about ethnic strife. When you hear about kingdoms against kingdoms. When you hear about earthquakes here and there. When you hear about famines. Don't get troubled about these things. No. These are just things that have to happen, but they're not the end. Not at all. They're just the beginning of labors. On the other hand. Keep watch. Keep watch? For what? For when you stand in front of tribunals. Beaten in meetings. In front of governors. Of kings. To bear witness for Jesus. But don't worry about these things. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words to say. That's what Jesus said.

We meet with a brother or sister today and will not be alarmed about the conspiracies: We trust, rather, in Jesus' counsel. And, together, confidently, we give thanks to God for the victory of Christ.

Curtain

"He opened the new and living way through the curtain, that is, through his flesh," Hebrews 10:20.

For centuries the priests killed and offered the same daily animal sacrifices over and again. The blood of untold thousands sheep, goats, cattle poured onto the ground, splashed onto the ark of the covenant. Yet, for all that, animal sacrifices could not take away human sin. A mighty curtain blocked us from God's presence. But Christ offered a single sacrifice, once, for all time. Daily, he yielded his body to do the will of God, to go around doing good for people. And at the end, Jesus yielded his body's blood as the one and only sacrifice, a human sacrifice, effective to take away human sin. His body, nailed to a tree, opened up a new way, breaking through the curtain, into God's presence. A living way, for us. Forgiven, we enter the Presence boldly in Jesus raised from the dead, seated beside God. Sky kingdom.

As we speak today with a brother or sister of Jesus' sacrifice for us, we yield our own lives in service to our God and his Christ. And, together, thankful, we speak of grace and power and forgiveness.

Sheol

"You will not abandon my soul to Sheol," Psalm 16:10.

Who's not abandoning? Jehovah. The Giver of counsel and instruction. The Provider of security. God. What's God not forsaking? The soul. Life. Self. (Our souls. Our lives. Our selves.) Not deserting to Sheol: What's Sheol? The Grave. Death. Hades. The Place of the rotting Dead. God will not cast us aside. But first: Before. Way before we faced death and dying. God did not abandon Jesus to rot away. No, not at all! Jesus had yielded his life as sin-offering. To God. For us. Jesus was the Holy One whom God would not allow to rot. God reached down to raise Jesus up from Sheol. And then. And then. And then, He let us know the path to life. He reached out. He grasped our hand in His to our eternal delight.

As we visit with a brother or sister today, we tell each other of God's rock-solid security in Jesus: He will not forsake forever. And, together, assured in his promise, we praise the one and only God.

Bright

"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above," Daniel 12:3.

How bright will they shine? As bright as the skies. And who's gonna shine? The wise. And what makes the wise wise? Ah. Well. That's the tricky part. Doesn't mean that God is tricky, but that God's in the details. And what makes for wisdom here does not fit with just gaining some kind of mystical or esoteric knowledge. So. The wise are those whose names are written in the book. (That's what it says.) Book? What book? The book of truth. It holds the names of the purified. And how did they get purified? When Daniel wrote those words, nobody knew. But the book at the end of the Bible tells how: They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

With a brother or sister today we remember when scarlet stains deadened our lives; but we were washed, sanctified, justified in the name of Christ by the Holy Spirit. And, together, we give thanks in hope of shining forever.

Forged

"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us," Psalm 67:1.

Dear God, your generosity overflows favor on us! You bless us! You shine on us! All peoples everywhere can see your ways at work among your congregation. They see your saving power. Your church, scattered throughout the earth, gives witness to you, O God of Israel, God of Jesus, and God of his congregation! Please receive our praises; receive the praises of the whole earth! Receive the praises of all who recognize your justice and equity. You guide us - you guide all peoples! Earth itself produces abundance by your design - you bless us ... and you will bless us. (And how do we know that you will? because that's how you are!). Everybody, everybody in every corner of earth: Fear the Lord! Honor God!

We meet confidently with a brother or sister today, unafraid of foes or worldly troubles. Our God shines! And, together, the congregation forged by Christ, we thank our God.

Pillar

"Know how to behave in the household of God - which is the church of the living God - a pillar and bulwark of truth," 1 Timothy 3:15.

Paul (old, jailed preacher) writes Timothy (twenty-something preacher). About prayer, harmonizing the congregation's actions, new way of life for followers of Jesus, power of the Word, and stuff like that. New life in God's house. God's church. (No! It's not about how to be reverent inside a building called "a church.") It's how to honor each other. How to treat God's redeemed. God's congregation. The church. God's stanchion. God's stronghold. And what are they bulwarks about? Listen carefully: about the mystery of godliness: Jesus. Manifested in flesh. Vindicated in Spirit. Seen by angels. Proclaimed among peoples. Believed on in the world. Taken up in glory. So, behave new.

As we see brothers or sisters today, we see a pillar for Jesus' truth. And, together, we hold up our Lord in thanksgiving for this new life.

Reward

"Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven," Matthew 5:12.

Jesus' words, those. Thus sayeth the Lord. And to whom sayeth He so? To the: poor in spirit; the mourners; the meek; the hungry and thirsty; the merciful; the pure in heart; the peacemakers; the persecuted; the bullied. To those people who lost the world's rat-race. To those who lost because they held fast to other standards: the Way of Jesus. The Way of the Word. To those who, having lost the world, gained: Kingdom of heaven; comfort; the earth (!); satisfaction; mercy; experiencing God; God's adoption. To those receiving a great reward. To the rejoicing crowd in the vast sky arena victoriously praising their God! To the blessed. To. The. Blessed! 

When we meet with a brother or sister today we remind each other that the Way of Jesus is way more than worth it all. And, together, we give thanks, gladly, for our God's gracious reward.

Pure

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us," 1 John 3:1.

First: Who's the Father? God. Maker of heaven and earth. And of everything in them. Our Father, who art in heaven. You know, that one. The one and only God. Truly. To whom has this God given some kind of love? To us. (To you and me ...). Second: OK, so what kind of love has God given to us? This kind: he calls us his children. In fact, we are (are!) his kids. Yeah ... ok ... and why's that such a big deal? Because when Jesus, God's son, shows up suddenly in the skies, the rest of his children (that's us) will suddenly zoom up becoming like him. Though we don't know right now quite what that'll be like. Except that we get purified when we hope in him. Even now. For real. 100% pure. And, then, his kids get to play in the sky. Forever.

As we visit with a brother or sister today, we remind each other whose we are. We anticipate joining the vast congregation of worshippers around the throne. And, together, we give thanks for God's kind of love to us.

Humble

"Hallelujah! Sing to Jehovah," Psalm 149:1.

Who shall sing? The congregation. What congregation? The assembly of all godly people. The holy ones. The loyal ones. All the children of Zion. (All the children made holy by the Lamb, yes!) And what shall they sing? A new song. What song? Song of joy to their Maker. Their King! They praise Him with dancing. With tambourine. With lyre. They burst into song! And why shall they sing so? Because Jehovah's pleasure rests in them. Whose pleasure? God's. God's happy with. Who's God happy with? His people. What people? Humble people. (They confessed Christ as Lord.) What shows His joy? He decorates them. With what? with salvation's jewelry! As He saves them, He also executes His sharp justice (!). As His Word has written.

Today we sing praise with a brother or sister to our God. (Well, if we don't actually sing sing, we voice a praise psalm together, right?) And, together, we give thanks to our God in the joy of our salvation.

Arena

"He who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence," Revelation 7:15.

You know how in the movies there's this marvelous, glorious scene where everybody marches into the vast arena after the unbearable troubles they've been through? Where the vast crowd thunders cheers as the peoples enter? Sure! And if it's a really good movie, even we in the audience feel the impetus to stand and cheer it on, too. Well, that's the Revelation scene - except that it's real, though future to us. And except that it is God who's being cheered on. And who are the immense shouting crowds? It's all the people whom God brought through all the troubles of the world, through death itself. All who washed their dress clothes whiter than white in the blood of Jesus. And what's God doing there? God's sheltering them all.

We speak with a brother or sister today about security in God's handiwork, we speak of Jesus' sacrifice for us. And, together, we raise our hands, our voices, in praise to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.

Changed

"Our guilt overwhelms us but you forgive our sins," Psalm 65:3.

Praise to you, O God! We will be true to you! You hear our prayers, everybody (everybody!) will come to you. You satisfy us with the goodness of your house, your hospitality. Your awesome - righteous - actions answer our pleas. O God: You're the hope of our salvation. Every most remote edge of the earth, most forgotten sea, most unknown craggy height - the whole world finds in you salvation. Your visits water the earth, enrich it, abound crops, bless its growth, flourish wilderness, delight the hillsides, crown the bountiful year. Thank you for your lavish care. Thank you!

When we chat with a brother or sister today, we share God's abundant life in Jesus with each other. And, together, we give thanks for the atonement that changed everything.

Hear

"The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live," John 5:25.

That time's coming. Well, in fact, it's here. Now. So said Jesus. The time when the dead will hear. It's right now. What will the dead hear? Jesus' voice. Who are the dead that hear? Whoever hears Jesus' word and believes God. Wait a minute! How do the dead hear - they're dead!? Well, it's us. Us. Us, who have a sort of life in our own selves, but who have no life (we're dead) to God. This sort of life that we have of our own selves leaves us facing a sure grave. Dead men walking. But we hear Jesus. (Where do we hear Jesus? in the Word. Where's that? Let's be clear: in the Bible.) We hear Jesus' voice in his Word. And, having heard, we live to God.

Today we, brothers or sisters, listen to God's voice graciously imparting life. We get into his Word, we heed him. And, together, we praise our God, in full hope of forever life.

Protest

"If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed," John 8:34.

It stands a curious development. When we (humans) think of freedom we usually mean it within a political context. Here, however, Jesus speaks of freedom within the spiritual context of sin and release from its enslaving, deadly consequences. So, sometimes, when we (followers of Christ) hear of oppressed peoples in our country and of their protests for political justice, we remind them that true, biblical freedom is a spiritual, not political, thing; they should forbear. A true enough statement. But then (and here's the curious part), when we perceive government encroaching on our own political freedoms, suddenly we may feel the need to take up protest in some fashion or another in that same political dimension. Nonetheless, Jesus' Word continues: If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Not of this world. Sky kingdom.

As we visit with a brother or sister today, we return to Jesus' real freedom, to live in the house of God forever. And, together, we give thanks to our liberating God.

Enough

"So that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world may be accountable to God," Romans 3:19.

That's the purpose of God's Law. It shushes all the bickering of peoples and ushers us, every last one of us, to answer before God's throne. It shows us our fail. Major fail. We all missed God's glory. Sin. Judgment. Condemnation. But God, the just God, the righteous God, shows us something more. God speaks his true character. God redeems us. Why? because he wants to. God makes us right. How? Here's how: God presented Jesus to us. God presented Jesus' bloody death as enough. Enough for our fail. So when we believe Jesus made up the consequences of our sin, God calls us good. God's word. That's grace. Generosity. Jesus' cross nests our faith and God's grace. God is just. And he justifies. Because he wants to. His gift.

With a brother or sister today, we set aside boasting in our accomplishments, and we turn in faith through Jesus to God. And, together, stunned, we praise God for the gift of eternal life.

Cadence

"The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts," Psalm 46:6.

God's voice changes everything. In the midst of rampaging peoples, of mountains sloughing off into seas, of earth giving way to shaking, of tsunamis roaring onto shores, of governments staggering - God's enthroned in his citadel. From his throne a life-giving stream springs through his city. The City of God rests on an immovable foundation. God's Word. And dawn will come. At his voice wars end: weapons shatter, war machines burn to a crisp. His voice: Be still! His voice: Know that I am God! His voice: I will be exalted in the earth!

When we visit a brother or sister today, we listen with ... for God's voice, drinking in its enlivening cadence. And, together, we give thanks for his Christ, living Word.

Thundering

"An eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth," Revelation 14:6.

Right in the middle of the sky, directly overhead (while the Lamb stood on the mountain with his mighty hundred forty-four thousand redeemed, blameless followers, their sound-breaking voices thundering out a new song immediately in front of the Throne and of the four living monsters and of the 24 elders) - while all that was going on, it says - an angel flew over it all shouting an eternal gospel. An enduring gospel. Not optional - ever. And the out-loud message: Fear God. Give him glory. Judgment has come. Worship God, Creator of the universe. No more worship the god of your choice. The god you made up. The god created by your culture. By your people. By your language. By your tribe. By your nation. No longer. Worship the only real God of all who is over all, through all, and in all. The one and only God who made you in his image. Sky kingdom.

With a brother or sister today we bow reverently, humbly before our God and Maker to hear his clear gospel. And, together, we give thanks to God who redeems us and renders us blameless before him.

Meets

"O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress," Psalm 59:9.

Whatever foe or peril may surround, whatever menace thinks God cannot hear their threats - God laughs at them. God scoffs at the adversaries. God remains our fortress. God meets us in his steadfast love. God gives us such hope as to feel his triumph though surrounded by danger. God makes them totter. God's power brings them down. God, our sure Shield! God traps them in their pride. God turns their curses to consume them. God shows he, no one else, rules! Rules to the end! So we sing of God's strength. Of God's redemption. Though in distress we sing praises to God, our Strength. To Him who loves us forever.

The topic of our conversation with a brother or sister today tells of God's steadfast love, of his strength to restore. And, together, we wait for him and give thanks for his able deliverance.

Firm

"God himself will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you," 1 Peter 5:10.

After you've suffered a little while, that is. Nobody likes to suffer, especially if the little while feels like a long while. An unbearably long while. That line comes just after the line that says to resist the devil. Resist the lion-like devil?! How do you do that?! Really not too hard, really: Keep believing in Jesus. No exorcism rituals; no weird magical spells; no extraordinary feats of valor. Just be firm in the faith. The sufferings we go through are just part and parcel of faith in this world. Jesus suffered. Just part of the deal. So, believe this: Heaven has received the Risen Jesus. Jesus anticipates God's restoration time, when every eye will see Jesus coming down through the clouds. God himself will restore. Himself will do it.

With a brother or sister today, in the storm, we declare that salvation belongs to our God! And, together, we praise Him Who sits on the throne and the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world.

Beggar

"Courage! Get up! He calls you," Mark 10:49.

Sitting at the roadside the blind beggar cried out, Have mercy! A bunch of the crowd scolded him, Shush! Jesus said, Call him! The people said, He calls you. The beggar threw off his cloak. He jumped up. He came to Jesus. Jesus said, What do you want? The man said, Let me see. Jesus said, Your faith made you well. And Bartimaeus (his name) saw. And he followed Jesus. So: Many believe it worthless to call on the Lord; they shush mercy seekers. But not so with us, wasn't it? Sidelined like the other blind beggars, weren't we? But we believed him, didn't we? But we called for mercy, didn't we? But we heard him calling us, didn't we? So we got up. So we came to him. And he restored us, didn't he? And now we follow him, don't we?

We encourage a brother or sister again today in the faith we had when we first arose to follow Jesus, restored in deep insight. And, together, we say, Thank You, Jesus, son of David, for your mercy.

Uttermost

"He is able to save to the uttermost," Hebrews 7:25.

Who is able to save? Jesus. Jesus, our high priest. Jesus, our high priest in perpetuity. Jesus, our eternally living intercessor. Jesus, able to save. Jesus, able to save to the uttermost. (The uttermost? What's that? All-complete. Entirely. Forever. Finally. Perfect.) To save whom? To save people. What people? Those who come to God. And how do those come to God? They come to God through him. Through whom? Through Jesus. Who? Jesus, the one who lives for ever. To what purpose does Jesus live for ever? Jesus lives for always in order to intercede for them. To do what? To stand between them and God. High Priest. To mediate their eternal welfare. Eternal? Yep. He goes on and on, forever. Jesus is able.

When we contact a brother or sister today, we remind each other of Jesus' utterly whole intercession in our behalf: He lives, forever! And, together, we give thanks for restoration in the safety of our God.

Dreamers

"We were like dreamers," Psalm 126:1.

And, no, we weren't the only ones. What was it like? Our mouths were filled with laughter! Our tongues overflowed with songs! We were glad! So what brought all this on? God. God did. What did God do to bring this joy? He restored his people. That's what he did. Everybody around saw that Jehovah had done great things. God had done great things. For us. But memories of past glories only bring present sadness. So, dear God: Do it again. Please. Restore us anew. Return streams and pools to our desert wastes. Give us strength today to sow your Word despite tears, trusting in your joyful harvest tomorrow. May we go out planting seeds of righteousness, and then to come back with your happy bounty. Sky kingdom.

With a brother or sister today we exchange yesterday's dreams with hope in God's faithful Word. And, together, confidently, we give thanks anticipating joy in God's sure restoration.

Fractions

"O Jehovah God, save your people, the remnant of Israel," Jeremiah 31:7.

When all was lost, when all were scattered, when no one was left, when it seemed God finally forgot us all - God, in fact, was collecting all the leftovers that nobody wanted. Useless remnants. The remainders. (Remember the left over numbers in long division that nobody knew what to do with except to turn them into even more troublesome fractions?) God, in fact, said: I will make whole all the remainders from the most strung out corners of earth. God, in fact, said: I will include the blind, the lame, the pregnant women, yes, women in the throws of labor - people considered useless for the tasks ahead ... God, in fact, said: I will ease their way home, I will refresh them along the way. God, in fact, said: Sing glad, out loud! God remembers all the remnants. God restores.

As we meet with a brother or sister today, we affirm with each other God's phenomenal purpose to restore a people for himself. And, together, we give thanks for his son, Jesus, guarantor and collector of all God's remnants.

Expensive

"No one can pay God for his own life," Psalm 49:7.

Indeed. No one can give to God the price of their lives. And why not? because the price for life is too high. No one can ransom another. Why not? the ransom mustered can never suffice. How much would a man give in exchange for living forever? People remain too expensive. So they all die, wise or foolish, never to avoid the grave. All those monuments to dead heroes change nothing about their demise. Even with all the accolades of their successors - they still lie dead underneath. Just not enough money on earth to ransom life. But God can. God can ransom a life from death's grave. Indeed. God counts Jesus' life an abundant ransom for every human life. The blood of Jesus' death paid the price.

With a brother or sister today we bow in awe of this God who redeems a people for himself, just because he can. And wants to. And, together, we give inexpressible thanks to God and to the Lamb for love beyond degree.

Camel

"It's very hard to enter the kingdom of God," Mark 10:24.

So said Jesus: A camel could get through the eye of a needle more easily. More easily than whom? Said Jesus: More easily than a rich person can enter the kingdom of God. Said his astonished followers: If the rich, so obviously blessed by God, have it so hard, who in the world's going to get saved? Said Jesus: It's impossible. To get saved can you leave house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, lands, all for Jesus' sake, for the gospel's sake? Man can't do it. Peter said: We left everything for you. Jesus said: God can do it all. God will give you in this world, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, lands. Nothing's impossible with God. Said Jesus: And in this world, persecutions, too - it's hard! But. God can save. God can stretch a camel as fine as thread. God can. God will give eternal life in the next age.

We cheer each other on today, brothers or sisters, and press through the day's storms knowing our able God delivers us into the sky kingdom. And, together, we give thanks for entering his kingdom securely.

Rest

"Let's make every effort to enter that rest," Hebrews 4:11.

What rest? God's rest. What does that mean? It means going to heaven after you die, so to speak. Life forever with God and Jesus and all the people of obedient faith who ever have lived. God began that rest when he finished creating the whole universe. Deep satisfaction for good work. God invites people to faith. He invites faithful people to press on obedient to his Word. God opens his rest to any who listen to the good news of Jesus. And God warns sternly against disobedience that bars entrance. So when does God open his rest? Today. As long as Today is. Hear God's voice. Today. Every effort.

With a brother or sister, today, we do hear God's voice calling us to faithful service in the gospel. And, together in thanksgiving, we follow God's faithful voice leading us ever graciously into his rest.

Sigh

"Be still and know that I am God," Psalm 46:10.

Be still. Quiet down. Slow your pace. Stop the frantic anxiety. Hush the incessant chattering. Hold the mouth shut. Clear the mind. Be still. Let it be. Silence the mindless prattle. Calm the unsettled soul. Abate the driven prattle. Quietly focus. Reset the thinking. Be still. Take a deep breath. End the agitated rambling. Cease foreboding. Breathe slowly. Set the mind on one thing. Be still. Be still. And understand this. This only matters. Know this: God is God. Be still. Know this: Jehovah, God of armies, is with us. Know this: The God of Jacob is our fortress. Be still. Sigh relief. God, unshakable king, reigns. God is God. Know this.

We quieten with a brother or sister today dwelling on God's sure reign among us. And, together, we give thanks to God's glory and grace.

Theological

"They profess to know God but they deny him," Titus 1:16.

And how do these folks deny God? By failing at good works. Now, people may consider righteousness as a set of theological attributes: what to believe about God, why to teach sound doctrine, how to conduct religious assemblies, when to do holy observances. And so on. Yet, righteousness more deeply means intentional action, doing the morally and ethically right thing: to treat others with dignity. Christians find tension in the pursuit of righteousness: on the one hand we recognize Jesus' good works to be all-sufficient for us, we are made righteous by his work. On the other hand we know full well that our Lord Jesus expects us to live transformed lives. We do not want to deny him. We do good works because we've been saved, and thereby, made fit to serve; not in order to earn that standing with God.

When we serve a brother or sister today, or, for that matter, serve anyone today, we would affirm faith in God who outfitted us for that good work. And, together, we give thanks to God who invited us to go around doing good with Jesus.

One

"You lack one thing," Mark 10:21.

The question, on this occasion, concerns righteousness. Namely, what makes for sufficient righteousness to assure living forever? Jesus' first answer: Do what you already know to do - God's commandments. No murder, no adultery, no stealing, no lying, no cheating, do honor father and mother. Well, are those enough to get eternal life? Jesus' second answer: No, there's more. The Word of God calls people, all people, to a vigorous standard - righteous living. Nothing substitutes. So what rounds out righteousness? Jesus' further answer, on this occasion: Sell everything you've got. Give all that money away to poor people. (This enriches your sky bank account.) Is that enough? No. What more? Come. Follow me. Says Jesus.

We remind a brother or sister today that we have been completely forgiven through Jesus' complete righteousness, by grace. A grace that trains us to forgo ungodliness and to live righteously. And, together, we give thanks to Christ who purified us, fired up for good works.

Stone

"We share in Christ if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end," Hebrews 3:14.

Yes, Lord, we always want to belong to Jesus. We, your people, keep on guarding against developing an unbelieving heart. We want to hear your voice. And to obey it. We encourage each other daily to press on with you, even today. We refuse to harden our hearts in rebellion against you. We know that sin remains deceitful. Sin's deceit leads to hardened hearts. And we want our hearts moldable by you, yielding toward you. We want to pursue your righteousness. We hold on dearly to our original confidence in your Word. In your Gospel. In the reconciling work of Jesus through his death, burial, and resurrection. Steadfast, we choose against our hearts turning into stone. We will respond obediently to the call of Jesus' cross. Righteously confident by grace to the end.

With a brother or sister today, we encourage holding on tightly to the faith in Jesus we had from the beginning of our walk. And, together, we give confident praise and thanks to the God of all grace.

Number

"Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom," Psalm 90:12.

In his late 60s, Eddie (a Christian brother, an elder in Jesus' church) noted the Bible taught humans might live to 70 years old or maybe 80. Given the few he may have left, he determined to spend those uncertain years announcing the Good News of Jesus with family, friends, and strangers in his native land. Now in his 80s, that's what he's been doing ever since. He helps organize meals for hungry kids and families, administer clothing distributions, manage building of chapels among disenfranchised communities; he announces the Gospel of Christ and teaches the Word of God. He learned from his God to number his days, and to gain thereby a heart of wisdom. Sky kingdom.

Visiting with a brother or sister today, we remind each other that the days of this old world are numbered, as are our own. We spur one another on into the Lord's wisdom. And, together, we offer thanksgivings to the only wise God.

Chattel

"Seek good, and not evil, that you may live," Amos 5:14.

Looking for life? Then pursue good, not evil. That is, pursue Jehovah God. Life may be found nowhere else: only in God. Only in doing the good. Some sin has focus in personal faults. Other sin concerns treating people as chattel. It concerns failure to recognize God, whose image rests in every human being. Hold up justice, do not put it down. Love the truth. Love who speaks truth. Love whoever scolds righteously. Love good. Hate evil. Establish justice. Otherwise. Otherwise, says the Lord of armies, the wake of God's passing through the land will produce wailing, mourning, lamentation, moaning. No gain for perverters of justice. God gives life only to whomever chases after the good.

When we speak with a brother or sister today, we affirm life by speaking what the Word of our Creator establishes as right and true. We repent from self-seeking and turn minds to God-seeking. And, together, thus, we honor God, the life-giver.

Befriend

"Be still before Jehovah God and wait patiently for him," Psalm 37:7.

As compared to what? Well, what it says is, as compared to fretting oneself over the bad guys planning to prosper doing evil against others. Don't worry about the bad guys. Stewing over them just leads to more evil. Envy - that's what it's really about - Don't envy wrongdoers. Ok, Ok! So what are we supposed to do instead? Here's what it says: Refrain from anger. Forsake rage. And do this: Trust in the Lord. Befriend faithfulness. Delight in the Lord. Commit to the Lord. Trust in the Lord. Don't worry: God will take care of business. One day you'll look around and - whaddya know? - the bad guys are gone. Their plots against blameless people came to nothing. God laughed at them. He pierced them with their own swords and smashed their bows to bits. So what to do? Well, this: Turn from evil, do good. God will do it.

With a brother or sister today, even as we witness evil, we do not despair, we commit to the Lord's way, we keep doing the good anyway. And, together, living still before the Lord, we give thanks to him.

Lost

"I'm saying this is a great mystery: into Christ and into the church," Ephesians 5:32.

So the Word's been talking about a man and a woman, husband and wife, and their relationship: love and respect, one for the other. And suddenly. Suddenly it breaks out with that mysterious line. Mystery concerning Christ and the church. The Scripture double underscores that the link between a man and woman more deeply represents the link between Jesus and the congregation. This is totally weird; no wonder it's been a mystery! A mystery now revealed, but still not easy to grasp. Jesus loved his bride yielding his desires to her needs, giving himself entirely to her benefit. That's how a man is to love his woman. The church honors her Lord Christ, giving up self for him. That's how a woman is to honor her man. Not a run-of-the-mill kingdom of earth here. Sky kingdom.

With a brother or sister today we feel overwhelmed by Jesus' love and commitment for us. And so, together, lost in praise and wonder, we offer the deepest thanksgivings of our hearts.

Breakage

"From the beginning of creation God made them male and female," Mark 10:6.

And that, Jesus said, quoting opening verses of the Hebrew Bible, is the reason a man, a husband, cuts ties with his parents and holds fast to his woman, his wife. But the question posed to Jesus was whether a man could divorce his woman willy-nilly. You know, get married and if things don't work out - you know, like, she just doesn't make you happy all the time - you know, you just get divorced and move on. You know. Jesus said: No. Never was God's plan. Not from the dawn of creation. God joined the man and woman. From the two (male and female) God made them one. Said Jesus: Don't you dare break it. (But we, humans, break it anyway ... and aren't our children so much brighter for it? You know.)

As we visit with a brother or sister today, we remind each other of God's creation wisdom. And, especially broken, we can only turn to his grace  - where else?! And, together, we give thanks for redemption, for Jesus who paid dearly the price for our breakage. Who receives every child as his own. Sky kingdom.

Modeled

"I will sing your praise in the middle of the congregation ... I and the children God has given me," Hebrew 2:12, 13.

Who's singing? Jesus. Where's he singing? Right in the middle of the people he comes from. He and they have one origin. He's the founder of their salvation. He's not ashamed of them. He calls them brothers, siblings. Who's his family? The very people he made holy. He's the one who made them holy, and they're the ones made holy by him. His congregation. Given to him by God. So God made Jesus to participate in real flesh and real blood, just like his people, so that Jesus, by death, would destroy the devil and his power of death. So that Jesus, by dying, would deliver the very people he had become like even to death. His family. Modeled in God's creation of the first family. Reaffirmed in God's blessing of families who walk in his ways. Sky kingdom.

As we share with a brother or sister today, we hear Jesus singing among us, the holy one who made us holy. And, together, we praise God who made us family, his children.

Homes

"All who fear Jehovah God, who walk in his ways, are happy," Psalm 123:1.

When you, O God, are truly honored, you provide for us so that we enjoy the results of hard work. You make things go well for us. You bless our families: a husband and wife complement each other completely. Their children grow enriching that man and woman. When you, O God, are deeply respected, you bring your blessings to bear in our homes. As the years pass, you provide for sharing in your prosperity. When you, O God, are feared, you show us our children. And our grandchildren, too. (And even when hard times come, and we don't feel the blessings in the moment, we will still walk in your ways: we trust you.) Your peace prevails.

When we speak with a brother or sister today, we recognize the Lord who blesses beyond compare. Especially, if not in this world, in the age to come! And, together, we give thanks to God and walk humbly in his ways.

Ishah

"She shall be called woman for she was taken out of man," Genesis 2:23.

Every living, earthly thing. God planted bushes and grasses in it. God made trees spring up from it. God formed every beast of the field with it. God crafted every bird of the skies from it. God took a handful of it to form a man. Earth. Ground. Dirt. Dust. God's fundamental building material for every material living thing. (God breathes into inanimate elements and his Spirit makes the living soul.) God started every material living thing from dirt. Except. Except for one. The woman. God started her from a living human (male). And that's why she is called a human (female). God created their nature. God created them naturally complementary. God created the two (male and female) to hold fast to each other and become one flesh, naked and unashamed before their God, Creator of skies and earth.

When we consider each other, brothers and sisters, we recognize God's wisdom in the beauty and truth of his creation. And, together, we honor the Creator as we share in deep respect for each other's humanity. Naturally.

Horse

"The war horse for salvation? Deception!" Psalm 33:17.

Jehovah God looks down from the skies and sees every person. God, enthroned in the sky, looks over every one of earth's population. God, having molded each heart, examines what they do. What they practice. God examines. God. The huge army cannot save its king. A warrior cannot deliver by his great strength. The mighty power of a battle horse cannot rescue. God alone can. And does. God watches over each who fears him. Over those whose hope rests in His steadfast love. God delivers their souls from death. God keeps them alive in the famine. So. Our soul waits for the Lord. God alone is our help. God is our shield. Our heart finds gladness in the Lord as we trust his holy name.

With a brother or sister today, we turn our expectations away from earthly powers and confidently anticipate our King's steadfast love. And, together, we give thanks to the only One who saves.

Merited

"Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field," Isaiah 32:15.

God's good work. But first: Deserved ruin, destroyed land, deserted houses, due destruction, for ever. Merited disfavor. Civilization created by humans keeps imploding on itself, despite flashes of nobility and glory. And why? because humans keep on ignoring their Creator, God. They speak folly, busy their hearts with iniquity, practice ungodliness, spread misinformation about the Lord, fail to help the hungry, deprive drink from the thirsty, lie to the poor. (At any rate that's what Isaiah says.) So buildings serve as dens for wild beasts. For ever. For ever that is, until God's Spirit pours onto us from above. Then fruitful field becomes forest, justice abides, and peace comes, then quietness and trust. And security forever. God's good work. Sky kingdom.

Serving a brother or sister today we receive God's Spirit in His fellowship, renewed and made rich in Jesus' grace. And, together, our hearts speak thanks for receiving the peaceable, unshakeable kingdom, eternal in the skies.

For

"Whoever is not against us is for us," Mark 9:40.

Hmm. But Jesus also says: Whoever isn't with me is against me. Which is it? Both. Different contexts. When people with incomplete knowledge of Jesus still do good work in Jesus' name, obviously, they're for him, not against him. Jesus says: Don't stop them. Kind of like Apollos who preached Jesus powerfully but didn't understand baptism into Christ. Priscilla and Aquila nurture him more fully in the Lord's way, and Apollos preaches on. Like, Moses' instruction to Joshua, God's Spirit empowers whom He may, don't shush them. In clear distinction to that, when people claim Jesus' power comes from demons, they're against him. Of these who so blaspheme the Holy Spirit, Jesus says: Guilty of eternal sin, they never have forgiveness. So. God works in unimagined ways pre-preparing and re-repairing hearts, readying men and women to hear the saving Word.

With a brother or sister today, as we open the Word of the cross to despairing hearts, we merge into God's relentless endeavor. And, together, we praise God who counts our imperfect field work as being for him.

Unarticulated

"The Lord will raise him up," James 5:15.

Folks rightly speak of the efficacy of prayer. For example, we quote the Word: Prayer has great power. Over and again, the good book fills with examples of people at prayer. Jesus prayed many times. Sometimes folks mistakenly think that particular words spoken in a certain way or with such frequency then have some powerful magic associated with them. As though God can only hear properly sounded-out words. Sometimes folks so convinced seek to make the right sounds, perhaps in an uncommon or even unknown tongue, in hope that the utterances will exercise powerful effect. Perhaps, if we say the exact right phrase, then what we want will happen. First, God, not confused, hears every language spoken in earth or sky (they're his invention!). Second, God's Spirit guarantees God's clear understanding of every heart's intent, even unarticulated sighs. Third, God (not man) heals, God (not man) saves, God (not man) rules sovereign: Not our will, but Yours be done. God at work: his good, at his good pleasure.

As we pray with a brother or sister today, we find mutual calm that God hears us clearly whatever our poor dialect. And, together, we give heartfelt thanks to our God for raising us up in Christ.

Gratifies

"When you breathe on them they are created," Psalm 104:30.

God's work clothes: light and glory. God stretches out the skies, lays the foundations of his palaces above the skies, establishes solid land, raises mountains out of the deep. God gushes drinking water through the valleys. God's work satisfies the earth: its plants responding to human effort grow food - oil, wine, bread. God provides the right biome for everything, domesticated or wild: birds and trees, mountains and goats, boulders and badgers. God marks the seasons with celestial phenomena: moon phases, sunrises and sunsets, darkness and light. God gratifies his creation: the wild donkey, the young lion, the monstrous sea creature. God opens his hand and they have good things. God takes away breath and they die. God breathes on them and they live. The earth is new again. And again.

When we meet with a brother or sister today, we remember the goodness of this God, creator and sustainer of all that is. And, together, we sing the everlasting glory of the Lord. May our God enjoy his creation!

Rest

"Would that all the Lord's people were prophets," Numbers 11:29.

In the vast panorama of the Bible two fellows take center stage, just for a second in biblical time. Israel complained bitterly about the bleak food of their wilderness wandering. Overwhelmed by the thankless, impossible task God had given, Moses pleaded with God to just kill him if he had any mercy at all. God answered Moses by gathering a number of men at the meeting tent. (And he answered Israel with quail that wouldn't quit.) God portioned out his Spirit so that these men prophesied in deep support for Moses. But Eldad and Medad, though called to the gathering, stayed in the camp. God's Spirit found them anyway and they prophesied too. When Moses' closest assistant, Joshua, heard about it, he sought to squelch all rivalry to Moses. But pointing Joshua away from himself, Moses opened to Joshua's eyes the work of Jehovah God: Would that God's Spirit rest on all.

As we visit with a brother or sister today, we see God's good works in any quarter. And, together, we give thanks wherever on earth God's Spirit moves in the hearts of men and women.

Atoned

"Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions," Psalm 25:7.

Or the sins of my middle age. Or the transgressions of my old age. Rather, remember me in keeping with your steadfast love. O Jehovah God, remember me by virtue of your own goodness. You are good. You are upright. So instruct us, sinners, in the Way of life. Lead us, as we humble ourselves before you, in the right Way. Teach us, O God, as we bow before you. Your paths alone show steadfast love. They show faithfulness to those keeping your covenant and trusting your testimony. Forgive. Please pardon our great guilt, for no other reason than the sake of your Name. Thank you for instructing any who worship you. Thank you for lifting our souls into well-being. Thank you for giving us secure future hope. Thank you for befriending any who respect you. Thank you for guarding our souls. And for delivering them. We await you.

When we meet today with a brother or sister, we share mutually in God's forgiveness arising from His very person. And, together, we thank him for the pardon of all our transgressions atoned by Jesus at God's mercy seat.

Outcome

"Who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?" Daniel 3:15.

This remains ever the question, doesn't it? What god? What god can save us from others? Or even from ourselves? Evil power overwhelms. The mess is too big. Now, everybody likes the story of David and Goliath, the scrappy little guy who undoes the big bad guy. But what about when there's just no win here? When shock and awe and fire are the only outcome? Faith in God arises from the heart of a human being who decided to obey. No matter the outcome. Even if God will not deliver victory. That human being will still do the right. That human being will yet hold in highest honor God, creator of the cosmos, who has not saved against a fiery furnace. The only God worthy of that trust is true God, able to deliver into eternity. That's who this God is.

Today, with a brother or sister, we reaffirm mutual faith in the only true God of all, who is through all, over all, and in all. And, together, we give thanks for what only faithful eyes see, Christ, the hope of Israel, whom this God resurrected from the dead.

Bicker

"He placed a little kid in their midst and then nestled the child in his arms," Mark 9:36.

So when you're on the way to have your hands and feet nailed to a cross for the sins of the whole world, what do you do when your closest friends bicker stupidly among themselves about their own self-importance? Well, here's what Jesus did: He sat down in the house. He called his twelve guys into the room. He told them if they wanted to be first in line, they had to let everybody else cut in front of them. He stood a child right in the middle of them all. He lifted the kid into his arms. He said, You hug this child, you hug me. You hug me, you hug the One Who sent me. So. While we wait in this broken, uncertain world for the Risen Christ to appear in the sky, that's what we do. We receive all others, quietly. Sky kingdom.

When we receive a brother or sister today, we humbly recognize in them Jesus whom we serve. And, together, we offer thanks for the one who, incredibly, took us in his arms on the way to the cross.

Disturbed

"Draw near to God and he will draw near to you," James 4:8.

As the old hymn reviews it: My foes are ever near me, around me, and within. Indeed, troubles arise in this worn-out world from every quarter. Seeking to accommodate for the world's deceitful benefits only brings more strife. Seeking to satisfy one's passions only increases quarrels. Trouble is, the battle begins within one's own arrogant soul and spills out into fights with other people - who seek the same unfulfilling pride. These friendships with the world find frustration and despair. It's the devil's work. And it's enmity with God. So. Rather than to accommodate and to satisfy and to arrogate, we resist the devil, who then flees from us. And humbly we draw near to God who lifts us up into the peace of his closeness.

We speak with a brother or sister, today, of God's love, of God's call on our hearts. We are kindled to draw near to him. And, together, we give thanks for the serenity he brings through Jesus into this disturbed world.

Desperate

"He has delivered me from every trouble," Psalm 54:7.

Need to be clear: Who talks about rescue here? David. And who did the rescuing? Jehovah God. So what troubled David? Certain people betrayed to King Saul the region where David and his men hid from Saul. While Saul hunted David down, in despair David pleaded with God for rescue. So when did God rescue David? Well, this is the interesting part. When David first sang of God's rescue, it had not yet actually happened. The psalm starts as the cry of a desperate man to his only hope for survival, God. And in seven verses, it ends with such assurance in God that David, while running, speaks of God's future rescue as already made real. By faith, not by sight. Sky kingdom.

Today, touching base with a brother or sister, we encourage one another to plan for God's sure rescue tomorrow. And, together, we sing the songs of God's deliverance in thankful assurance.

Tomorrow

"For to you, O Jehovah of armies, have I committed my cause," Jeremiah 11:20.

The problem with committing our cause to God rests in the fact that God doesn't always save us the way we had anticipated. To be sure, sometimes he does. But in many moments, his salvation doesn't look all that great. Two verses before the line above we read that the prophet spoke of himself like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. Further on, we read of Jesus who trusted himself to God who judges justly, all the while he was crucified. So what does it mean to commit our cause to the Lord? To trust ourselves to God? It means to believe God stands faithful to his word even as we die. To live faithful to death. It means to live by the conviction of things hoped for - but not yet seen. To live by faith in him and not by what we experience. It means to live by faith and not by sight. 

Today, when we extend mutual hope with a brother or sister, we remember what we see isn't it. We seek a city not made by human hand. And, together, we give thanks to our God who will justify our faith tomorrow.

Clean

"Forgive me for my secret sins. Keep me from the sins I want to do." Psalm 19:12-13.

Your law, your testimony, your commandment, even the fear of you, and your rules, O Jehovah, are perfect. They revive the soul. They're sure. They make wise. They're right. They make hearts happy. They're pure. They enlighten eyes. They're clean. They endure forever. They're true. They're righteous. They're more desired than gold. They're sweeter than honey. They warn. Their keeping yields great reward. Dear God, don't let our sins rule us. In this way make us blameless, make us innocent of great lawbreaking. Forgive us, O Rock and Redeemer. And, Lord, may the things we say, and the things we think about, receive your rock-solid approval.

When we share with a brother or sister today, we encourage each other to seek God's strength against sin. And, together, we give thanks to our God for his complete forgiveness in Jesus' redemption.

Mix

"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed," Matthew 13:24.

Nobody understood Jesus' parable about the sky kingdom. So, privately, Jesus explained. The farmer was Jesus himself. The farm was the whole world. The good seed was people belonging to the sky kingdom. The weeds were people belonging to the enemy, the Evil One. So the sky kingdom consisted of Jesus sending out his own kingdom people into the world. But the Evil One also sent his own people into the world. (So this is where it gets weird.) Both the sky kingdom people and the Evil One people mix in the world. Now it stays like this until the harvest, the end of the age, of earth as we know it. Then, not a moment earlier, Jesus will send his mighty angels to collect out of the sky kingdom all obstacles and lawbreakers, and throw them into a fiery furnace to burn up. Finally, then, the righteous sky kingdom people will shine like the sun in God's kingdom.

Reminding a brother or sister today, we remember our Lord sent us out into the world to shine God's kingdom into the present darkness. We do not despair of evil, no, not at all! And we give thanks that the Lord controls time and its events. To him glory now and forevermore!