Pastor Mary Haley

I love taking care of our 2.5 y/o granddaughter for several hours each week. She is just so full of energy and loves learning new things. Everything is exciting for her. I might show her one time how to do a simple household task, but that’s all it takes and she says, “I do it now, Mimi!” It would greatly benefit me if I could tap into that 2.5 y/o old energy and excitement about doing housework!

In our passage today, the apostles are tapping into the energy and work of the Spirit to reveal the life of Christ. Just as Jesus had promised, Peter and many others have been baptized, filled and now serving in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the same Spirit who hovered over Creation in the beginning, the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, and now the same Spirit who is providing miraculous power to believers.

All of the apostles are learning—one experience at a time—what the resurrection of Christ has made possible for every believing heart. Peter is tapped into the Spirit and moving to reveal Christ’s authority and love in the town of Lydda—25 miles northwest of Jerusalem. Those who witnessed the power of the Spirit through Peter, turned toward God for salvation. The Church was expanding in numbers as believers lived out Christ’s commands of love.

God has the power to make all believers effective witnesses, but we must tap into the Spirit’s power, because our flesh can produce nothing of eternal value. Let’s start each day knowing God has made power available and we can tap into it 24/7. Let’s not grieve or quench the Spirit; instead let’s be empowered and energized for our King and his Kingdom work.

Acts 9:32-35 NLT Peter Heals Aeneas
32 Meanwhile, Peter traveled from place to place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda. 33 There he met a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he was healed instantly. 35 Then the whole population of Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas walking around, and they turned to the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for our lesson from Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. Your Word reminds us these early believers lived and operated in the fear of the Lord and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Even the communities around them noticed, although they were ordinary men, the Spirit made them powerful. Help us to live by faith and in reverence to your will, so in the Spirit we can be a part of expanding your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Over the years, there have been moments when I have ‘felt’ a bit lost from the looming demands and flurry of life, but am I spiritually lost? No; never. God knows my heart, understands my feelings, but is always seeking to reveal deeper ways for me to relate to his presence and receive grace in times of need. Salvation is about relationship. When we are “feeling” lost, we must call for the Shepherd.

The purpose of Psalms is to direct our focus to the Savior who alone can rescue us. Essentially, the writings in the psalter are love songs that help us better understand the unfailing commitment of God to find us in our lostness. These songs are not given to simply stir our emotions as we experience God’s presence, because relying on feelings alone to decide God is with us is a mark of spiritual infancy. However, our emotions are used by God to move us closer to the Savior who never changes or fluctuates in his covenant commitment.

God’s goal for his children is that we would grow in our understanding of his intense steadfast love for us. For the spiritually mature, the indicator of God’s presence with us is the conviction and belief that God is faithfully transforming us from the lost into knowing we have been found. We are confident that he will deliver us from evil and rescue us, because we obediently allow the Lord to lead us in the Truth.

In our passage from the psalter, today, David does not rely on feelings. Rather, he relies on what he knows to be true. When David trusts God to lead, direct, and guide his life, he is never lost. David remains in the care of the Lord—his Guardian.

As believers—who seek to be guided in the Truth by our Shepherd—we are never lost. We are being spiritually transformed as new creatures in Christ’s nature and character. Our feelings may simply be slow in catching up to the Truth that we have already been found and we are loved more than we can ever understand. In those moments, we must reach for faith and persevere, because the Shepherd of our souls—mind, will, and emotions—is never far away. Easter reminds us our Hope lives!

Psalm 23 A psalm of David.
1 
The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
2 
He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 
    He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
4 
Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
5 
You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
6 
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the assurance that even during the times in life when we may feel the most vulnerable, we are eternally secure in your love. Feed, lead, and guide us in the Truth. Help us cling to your gift of peace for our hearts and minds. Rescue us from the work and ways of evil, Lord. Please continue to meet our needs: lead us, strengthen us, protect us, comfort us, and bless us with your goodness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In ancient times, writers used papyrus reed [Nile grass] sheets fused together [up to 30 feet long] when writing books or scrolls. When I was in the Holy Land in 2012, I watched how these papyrus reed sheets were made, dried, and formed into these long scrolls. Clay or wax seals were used periodically throughout these long sheets to isolate specific information. Each section drew attention to something very important.

In our passage today, the Apostle John has a vision from God and he writes about it. John sees a scroll that contains the words of God and what the Lord plans for his fallen world at the end of time. John understands each sealed area of the scroll will reveal another phase of God’s plan; seven seals in all. Who is worthy to open the seals? Who can be trusted with the world’s future?

Only a perfect and sinless life can break the first seal of the scroll, open and read the Word of God, and advance through the following seals. John witnesses that Jesus, the Lamb of God who willingly gave his life to save humanity from destruction, is the only one worthy to open the scroll. Only Jesus has pure power and authority to rule the world, because he destroyed sin and death. Salvation comes to those who believe in Christ’s work on the cross (John 6:29).

The Lord is both the Lion with authority and power, as well as the Lamb who perfectly submitted to God’s will. As the Lamb, Jesus died to save the world by taking on the sins of humanity; he purchased us with his blood. As the Lion, Christ will lead the final battle in godly strength to defeat Satan once and for all—Satan is NOT equal to God in power.

So, all of creation rejoices, because the eternal Kingdom of God is supreme [above all fallen things], filled with the priesthood of believers, and governed in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit! (Ro 14:17). One day, believers will rule the world [Luke 22:29-30]. A glorious future awaits us—which gives us hope in the midst of the trials we face in this fallen world.

Revelation 5:1-10 NLT The Lamb Opens the Scroll
1 Then I saw a scroll [book] in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, [the root of David] has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit [Holy Spirit] of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 
And you have caused them to become
    a Kingdom of priests for our God.
    And they will reign [are reigning] on the earth.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for purchasing our lives back from the penalty of sin and death. As believers, we can be assured of a future with you in your righteous Kingdom. Although we don’t fully understand the progressive nature of your plan, we know you will rescue us from Satan’s deception and destruction that infiltrates this fallen world. For believers, Satan is a defeated foe. You give us authority to choose and operate in your strength and righteousness each day. Please continue to cause us to rise up in your righteous nature and be the witnesses you need in the world. May your whole world worship you once again! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I’m not sure how I manage to get so many soliciting SMS [short message service] texts, because to my knowledge I have never consented to receive anything from these certain companies or small businesses. Yet, there they are—short and sweet—on my phone asking me to clink on a specific promotion link. I block or delete the text and move on knowing another message will soon show up, again.

I do not like being on the receiving end of any unwanted message, but every form of communication arrives as a part of life. Sometimes, the unwanted messages we receive bring deep sorrow, sometimes challenges, and sometimes rebukes. Can you imagine being instructed to personally deliver a message you know will be regarded as extremely unpleasant, emotionally upsetting, and completely unwanted?

In our passage today, the prophet Isaiah has a vision of the Lord and he is overwhelmed by the reality of God’s Throne, the seraphim angels, and the pure holiness of God’s glorious presence. Just seeing this view of the heavenly realm overwhelms Isaiah. Immediately, Isaiah sees a contrast between Who and what is holy—God—and who and what is not—humanity.
God had chosen to send Isaiah to deliver an unwanted message to Israel. Although Israel thought they were favored and pleasing to God, the Lord was planning to destroy them for their disobedience! Someone needed to warn them. Therefore, God cleansed and prepared Isaiah to be the messenger of a very unpleasant and unwanted message to Israel from the Lord. God wants his people to know the Truth, so they can repent and be restored in holy fellowship. Isaiah submitted himself to God’s service. Humanity still needs to know the truth. Will you go?

Isaiah 6:1-8 NLT Isaiah’s Cleansing and Call
1 It was in the year King Uzziah died[740 BC] that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!

    The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.

5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”

8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”

I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

Prayer: Lord, we want to thank you for the cleansing process you use to prepare us for your service. Our awareness of your moral perfection moves us away from sin and toward your holiness. Cleanse our hearts and minds from being preoccupied with the world. We want to worship and serve you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What does it mean to make the most of every opportunity? If we are going to make the most of a moment, we are going to need to be fully present and engaged in what is going on. This is not a passive position, because engagement requires making a connection with God and others.

“Making the most” takes a decision and desire to experience the transformation God has in mind for us personally and in our relationships with others while we place our faith in Christ’s life, love, and power. If we are truly connected to Christ and we build relationships with others, we will experience personal and relational growth in our lives, learn to operate our lives in the power of God’s wisdom, and bring a passion to serve others as an extension of Christ’s love.

No one in Scripture knew this Truth like the Apostle Paul. He came to that understanding in a very traumatic way, but he had an experience with the resurrected Lord and nothing was ever the same for him. He stepped away from fighting against God’s will and began to live as a powerful disciple and servant of Christ’s love. Therefore, Paul sought every opportunity to carefully live in the wisdom of Christ, because he knew evil was always present (Eph 5:15-16).

In our passage today, Paul retells his story to King Agrippa about meeting the living Lord and how his life was transformed by God. This retelling takes place about twenty-three years after his initial conversion of becoming Christ’s apostle. Paul is on trial for antinomianism—the belief that Christians are freed from all obligations to obey Mosaic Law. This accusation against Paul comes from the religious Jewish Council, but they do not remember Messiah is the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets and Jesus is the Messiah.

Paul basically explains his position this way: the Law teaches valuable principles and gives people guidelines for grateful living in God’s love, yet observing the Law does not bring salvation or eternal life. Paul explains we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus and not by our own efforts or works (Eph 2:8-9). God loves, forgives, and saves us; God’s system is grace-based. Yet, once we receive that precious gift of salvation, the work of Christ in and through us begins. We become God’s Masterpiece, because Christ transforms us by his grace and power (Eph 2:10). Christ is perfect love and the Mosaic Law is about how we love God and others, so as we grow in Christ we find ourselves living more obediently to the Law. Are the commands from God? Absolutely, and Jesus is the Helper we need to obey them while on earth.

Acts 26:1-18 NLT
1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak in your defense.”
So Paul, gesturing with his hand, started his defense: 2 “I am fortunate, King Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense today against all these accusations made by the Jewish leaders, 3 for I know you are an expert on all Jewish customs and controversies. Now please listen to me patiently!

4 “As the Jewish leaders are well aware, I was given a thorough Jewish training from my earliest childhood among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5 If they would admit it, they know that I have been a member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our religion. 6 Now I am on trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise made to our ancestors. 7 In fact, that is why the twelve tribes of Israel zealously worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Yet, Your Majesty, they accuse me for having this hope! 8 Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?
9 “I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene [from Nazareth]. 10 Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers [God’s holy people] there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. 11 Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse [blaspheme] Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.

12 “One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. 13 About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. 14 We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will [kick against God’s oxgoads].’
15 “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.

“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell people that you have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future. 17 And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’

Prayer: Lord, thank you for every opportunity you bring to us so we can reveal your glorious and loving presence abiding in us. Continue to transform and grow us in your beautiful nature and character, so we live more faithfully to your commands of love. You are the living Vine and we are the branches who live dependently upon what you can do in our behalf to bring eternal life into a fallen world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I enjoy traveling to the mountains of North Carolina in the fall.  My brothers live in Franklin and it’s like a double blessing to see them, as well as enjoy the colorful fall leaves.  Ascending in the mountains can be a challenging drive, but seeing things from a higher perspective is inspiring.  I enjoy the moments of the journey, not only the destination of Franklin.  God has created so many beautiful places for us to enjoy and he goes with us as we experience them.  We can worship him all the time and thank him for his beautiful creation, diligent care of us, and being the helper we need each day.

In our passage today, the people of God are making a journey toward Jerusalem—ascending to the temple to worship is their goal. Perhaps the are gathering to celebrate Passover, Feast of Weeks, or another holy feast.  Whatever the event, the journey is filled with a certain level of danger; encamping at night the people need protection but they do not need to worry.  Their help and protection will not come because they reach the destination of the temple.  The psalmist wants God’s people to know, their help comes from the Lord who watches over them, guides their way, and protects their lives from evil.  So, he sings a song to reassure the people of God’s care as they march forward in worship.

Let this psalm reassure you, as well.  God loves you and watches over your life each day; so remain fixed on God, because you can trust Him.  Look around you, today, and know God is with you.  Worship the Lord your Helper.

Psalm 121 NLT  A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1 

I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?

2 

My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

3 

He will not let you stumble;
    the one who watches over you will not slumber.

4 

Indeed, he who watches over Israel [God’s people]
    never slumbers or sleeps.

5 

The Lord himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

6 

The sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon at night.

7 

The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.

8 

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for keeping guard over the lives of your children.  We do not need to fear, because you never leave us in our ventures.  Thank you for being our Helper, today.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.

“The more I considered Christianity, the more I found that while it has established a rule and order, the chief aim of that order was to give room for good things to run wild.”
—-G.K. Chesterton

Day 40: Fasting Wrong Concern for a Righteous Journey
Do you ever get fixated on what is going on in someone else’s life rather than focus on how you are working on your own life? We can all fall into that trap especially with spiritual matters. For example, when the Spirit of God calls us to follow something new, we might start looking at other believers and expect them to get the same Word from God. That might happen occasionally, but not always.

We serve a God who is personally involved with every heart and the plans and instructions he extends to one may not be the same for all. There are those areas of righteousness we must obey and practice. However, there are those specific gifts God wants to reveal in individual hearts and how we receive that revelation may be quite a different journey. So, we need to concern ourselves with our hearts and be excited and grateful for our own special path toward God’s presence.

After Jesus died, his disciples mourned for three days. Then, Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to different people. His disciples did not recognize him at first, but then one heard his voice, another saw his wounds, two watched him break bread, and a small group smelled cooking fish. Suddenly, Jesus met them.

We all must take the path that leads to humility before God, by fasting our flesh and the world. John the Baptist said it this way, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30). We have fasted many things these past forty days to help us increase in our love for Jesus through his gift of salvation. Be excited about your relationship with Jesus—the Living Lord—and follow where he leads you, because he will return for those who belong to him. Come Lord, Jesus!

John 21:20-25 NLT 20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” 21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” 23 So the rumor spread among the community of believers[a] that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
24 This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.
25 Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.

Prayer: Father, please continue to work within our hearts a sense of awe and gratitude for how you have orchestrated our redemption. Take this season—fasting our flesh and the world—and help us to grow closer to you. We desire to walk in your power and strength; the resurrection power that is available by faith and active in the lives of believers. Please continue to transform us in your beautiful image, Lord, and help us to become vessels that can be used for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.

“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men” (Matthew 28:2-4).

Day 39: Fasting the Shame of Guarding Dead Tombs

Pilate secured the tomb of Jesus with a seal and with soldiers to separate the living from the dead. Just about the time guarding the tomb seemed uneventful, there was another earthquake and an angel showed up to roll the stone away from the tomb. This wasn’t to let Jesus out of the tomb—he was already gone—it was to allow the women to enter and witness the miracle affirmed by the angel, “He is risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him!” (Mat 28:6-7).

Sometimes when we feel alone and defeated as we visit the dead [spiritually lifeless] tombs of our past and even the present, Jesus has simply gone ahead of us. He waits patiently for us to leave graceless perspectives, passions, and positions, behind and move forward. Jesus unsettles us in order to arrange our lives according to God’s will. Usually, we do not see this unsettling of the Master as a good or even helpful change, but what we do not see is the miraculous and how Jesus uses even our weaknesses to bring the necessary transformation to our lives.

Peter has to let go of the past in order to receive the commission of Christ for his future. He has to leave the dead tombs filled with human reliance and embrace the strength and love of Christ. Three times Peter denied he knew Jesus. Now, three times he will affirm his love. All of this terribly unsettles Peter, but Jesus knows unless he pushes Peter to this crossroad he will not be able to renew his mind in the Truth that no failure on his part changes the love of God.

Today, we fast the shame of guarding dead tombs. Like soldiers, we tend to guard them because if they were opened up to the Truth, it would be obvious God is not in them. They were the craft of the enemy to destroy us. We can and must celebrate the empty tomb. Jesus knows all things and nothing is hidden from him. When all things are confessed, all things are forgiven and we can rejoice in resurrected living.

John 21:15-19 NLT 15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the many ways you seek to rid us of our wrong perspectives, weaknesses, and wrecked emotions. The enemy is always busy trying to rob, kill, and destroy the God-centered life, but Jesus opened a way for victory. We refused to bow to the work of evil, so we reach for your righteous right hand today and we declare our love for you. Holy Spirit, help us serve our Lord. In Jesus’ name.



From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.

“Could it be that a legitimate state of hope is hopelessness?”
—Dr. A.J. Swoboda

Day 38: Fasting Shattered Dreams

Shattered dreams are a part of life; every person experiences them at some level in relationships. Maybe it is because our expectations are too high for ourselves or others; maybe it is simply because we want something Jesus has not designed or planned for us, our loved ones, or our vocational aspirations. Or, maybe God is still working his miraculous redemption and the whole picture hasn’t been revealed. However, we can always find Jesus in the midst of our most difficult experiences and losses. He is eternally good and unfailingly loving; his grace never diminishes and always seeks to restore our sense of well-being—shalom.

If it were possible to question every disciple of Jesus throughout the ages, I am sure each one of them would confirm having buried a dream or two. Actually, I am positive the remaining disciples in Jerusalem who witnessed the capture, trial, scourging, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus would describe the entire event as shattered dreams. No one expected things to go the way they did.

Momentarily, their dreams for abundant and victorious life with God were buried with Jesus. How do they pick up the pieces of losing this loved One? Certainly, denying it happened is not an option. So, the disciples choose to stay together which is a wise thing as when we are hurting deeply we need other believers ministering to us.

Today, we will fast our dreams and losses, because our faith in God must be planted even in the painful times; maybe especially in those moments. God knows how to resurrect a dream; better yet, God knows how to impart a bigger dream than we had originally. God knows how to heal a heart that is broken by loss. God knows how to bless us and satisfy our greatest needs.

In our passage today, after the burial of Jesus, the disciples go back to doing what is comfortable; they go fishing. Yet, the resurrected Jesus is there waiting for them on the shore with breakfast. Can you imagine how that moment with Jesus changed everything that had happened days before? The mighty power of Jesus brought the disciples more than they could ask or think (Eph 3:20). If you are hurting, don’t just try to escape your feelings through busyness. God is not dead; he is present and we must remain present for his help, too.

John 21:10-14 NLT 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.
12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. 14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being present in our lives through the good times and in the mosts difficult times for our souls. Instead of trying to escape the difficulties, disappointments, or shattered dreams, please help us to be still and press in for more of you and your grace and strength. Help us plant the seeds of faith and look for healing and wholeness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.

“If the enemy forces us to give up our quietness, we must not listen to him. For nothing is like quietness and abstinence from food. They combine to fight together against him. For they give keen insight to the inner eyes.” —-Abba Doulas

Day 37: Fasting Chatter
Jesus was tried, convicted, crucified and buried on the Day of Preparation; the day before the Sabbath. This preparation is a time of urgency, because there is so much to do before entering into a time of rest when the sun goes down. Friends, it really mirrors the urgency of repentance.

There is an ever-present race against time, isn’t there? We race to get one thing done only to find another urgent thing waiting to be done. When we race to get things done hoping to find rest waiting for us; it is a bit of a foretaste of how we race in the world in order to one day enjoy the rest of Christ’s Kingdom.

The Jewish calendar—which is based on the cycle of the moon for 354 days—is different from our Gregorian calendar for 365—which is based on the cycle of the sun. Yet, neither of these calendars totally match their perspective cycles; therefore, an extra month (Adar II) is added every two to three years to the Jewish calendar and an extra day (February 29) is added every four years to the Gregorian calendar.

Think about it, in the culture in which Jesus lived, a day was counted as sunrise to sunset. In our present culture, we start a day at midnight. Many theologians and scholars move Preparation Day up by a day declaring Passion Week had two Sabbaths due to Passover [the Great Shabbat] landing that year in proximity to the regular weekly Shabbat. Most faith communities remember or honor Jesus’ death on Good Friday. They spend the next days contemplating what the crucifixion of Jesus meant to individual hearts—much like I’m sure Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, Mary, and the rest of the disciples were doing.

Today, we will fast chatter, because it is time to focus on increasing disciples for Christ’s Kingdom. Chatter can come in the form of talking, texting, typing, web-surfing, or mental gymnastics [fear, torment, anxiety]. Be deliberate about setting aside time to just rest your whole being in Messiah and gain guidance for his work. Time will one day be an unlimited resource, but for now, let’s protect our time for the necessary preparation of our hearts, for the good deeds of Christ, and the witness this world requires for a miraculous harvest of believers.

John 21:1-9 NLT Epilogue: Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples
21 Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. 2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.
3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”
“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.
4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”
“No,” they replied.
6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.
7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for promising to use us as a Kingdom of priests for your work of redemption. Today, we fast our voice of chatter in order to focus on your work of salvation. We ask you to use us in powerful ways to proclaim the Good News and give you our time in order to prepare us for your glorious harvest. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

Prayer:   Lord, thank you for promising to use us as a Kingdom of priests for your work of redemption.  Today, we fast our voice of chatter in order to focus on your work of salvation.  We ask you to use us in powerful ways to proclaim the Good News and give you our time in order to prepare us for your glorious harvest.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.