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.