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.