The stories of scripture are powerful pictures of how God takes ordinary people and shows them extraordinary grace. Those stories God has given us will always be our foundation, but sometimes they can feel far removed. It can be helpful to remember that God is still writing those stories in the lives of people all around us. This is the story of Tony and Read Runyan. Addiction, separation, infertility: all labels that defined their lives and their marriage. But God, through His grace and His people, gave them a better story to write.
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Nicodemus was a man of considerable power and knowledge. “The Teacher of Israel,” is what Jesus called him, yet he knew Jesus was something more than just a teacher. He came with questions and Jesus’s answer left him with more. In Jesus’s answer, we learn of God’s sovereignty and our desperate need. Just what does Jesus want us to know when he talks about the new birth? The implications are sweeping and eternal.
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January 1st- A day loaded with so much potential and so much hope. As we start 2017, what are the things that we set before us as goals? How can 2017 be better than 2016? Two stories at the beginning of Jesus’s life can help us to orient our hearts and our minds around the one thing that really matters.
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The Christmas Story is one that has inspired and comforted people for thousands of years. We often think of the shepherds, the wise men, and the manger scene. Those are the ones that are a part of the story, but what about those that missed out? What about those that missed Christmas that night? Those that were too busy, too powerful, or too blind to see it. We never see ourselves as the ones that missed Christmas. We imagine we’d be right there with Mary on that night- but we probably have a lot more in common with the ones that missed it.
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Mary was a young girl that is told she’s found “favor with God.” Certainly we can look back on the Christmas story and understand what that meant, but she probably didn’t think being pregnant and alone felt like “favor.” What do you do when you find yourself in difficult circumstances that seem to be stacking against you? The same thing Mary did- you have faith in a God much bigger than you, and you worship.
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Something about Christmas gives it a prominent place in our own stories. Some of the most vivid memories in our lives are built around this time of year. As important as those Christmases are, it’s the first Christmas that shapes us more than any other. This week we looked at one person’s story that changed dramatically that first Christmas- Joseph. As we see his response to dramatic course changes in his life, we can prepare our hearts for when our course shifts unexpectedly too.
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It can be easy to lose perspective some times, especially when things get crazy around us. It can be hard to remember that our story as Christians here in America is a very different from the story that Christians tell around the world every day. The story of Stephen is a brutal, violent, and beautiful one. It is his death that become the dynamite for the early church- reminding us that even in the worst moments- God is at work.
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Built into the very fabric of our democracy is a mechanism that enables hope for millions of people. Our ability to vote for and choose our leaders is a beautiful part of our nation. Unfortunately, this small, fleeting hope has become the ultimate source of hope for far too many. When this happens- the process will inevitably begin to self-destruct. The truth is that politics doesn’t carry the power we think it does. Nebuchadnezzar’s story is a powerful reminder of this truth- and a powerful reminder for us as we vote this Tuesday.
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Daniel’s story is full of twists and turns. From the height of power to the depths of the lion’s den, one thing that remained was faith. His story can help us as we navigate our current cultural climate. How do we respond when culture puts Christians in its crosshairs?
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Sometimes it’s good to get a little historical context in order to know how to confront today’s problems. As our American culture rapidly speeds away from Christianity, it’s helpful to know this isn’t the first time God’s people have been here. There’s much we can learn from the stories of God’s people about how to live in a culture increasingly set against us.
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Q:”How was your week?”
A:”Busy.”
For so many of us, the “story” of our lives is one of busyness. There’s no end to the to-do list. Somehow we know this doesn’t feel right, but find a comfort in it too. At least if we’re busy, then all our insecurities and failures are a product of our schedules, not our inadequacies. Jesus tells us there is a better way…one that answers our insecurities and gives a whole new way to tackle that to-do list.
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The stories of God’s strength and power are all throughout scripture, but those stories are all around us today too. The story of Pete Higgs and Renovatus is powerful and challenging. Listen to the story of how God calls people to places they would never expect to do things that they are completely unprepared for. Then go and support this growing ministry (www.renovatusrc.org).
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For Samson, his incredible gifting had become his security, but he’s not the only one that was looking for safety in all the wrong places. Jesus’s interaction with a young man shows us just how prevalent this problem really is. It affects us all- every person, everywhere.
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From our earliest days, we’re taught to showcase our strength and hide our weakness. In every aspect of our lives, strength is celebrated and weaknesses are viewed with shame and embarrassment. The story of Samson shows us the story of a man full of strength, but it’s in his weakness that we really see God at work.
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Gideon’s name is found in Hebrews 11 (the “Hall of Fame of Faith”) alongside others like Abraham, Noah, and Moses, but is Gideon really a man to emulate? Was his faith really hall of fame worthy? What we learn from the story of Gideon is less about how great Gideon was and more about how great God is.
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