"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." -- Proverbs 3:5-6

We have come to be such a science-driven, fact-extracting, knowledge-based culture, that it's easy to see how more and more people come to reject the stories of the faith (and ultimately the faith itself) because the writings don't sift freely through the filters we've conditioned ourselves to have as we process information.  This proverb is apt for our time because we seem to be leaning more and more upon our understanding.  But even if we were to uncover all the secrets of creation, do we think we can uncover the secrets of the Creator?  And if we do come to understand something to be a certain way, does that mean it necessarily is as we understand it?  Do you have people in your life who presume to understand you, and yet you feel misunderstood?  How much more so with God I wonder?  We only have five senses, and there are even realities of creation we can't comprehend, so let's be slow to assume we know everything and maintain a respect for the mysteries of Creator as well.

Readings:  Genesis 23:1-24:51; Matthew 8:1-17; Psalm 9:13-20; Proverbs 3:1-6

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." -- Psalm 9:9-10

Our readings today include one of the most disturbing accounts in all of Scripture:  Abraham preparing to sacrifice his son Isaac as an offering to God.  It's inconceivable that God would ask this of a person, and I do not understand the demand in the story.  But in the end, God stops Abraham from going through with it, and provides a substitute ram for the offering instead.  Because of that experience, Abraham called the place "The Lord Will Provide".  The Psalm echoes the sentiment, reminding the reader that the Lord has never forsaken those who seek him.  Abraham was truly one who sought to follow the will of God.

Sometimes following God seems to make little sense.  But when you seek him with your whole heart and your whole being, you will be surprised at how God finds you.  Seeking and following the will of God makes no sense only to the one who does not seek and does not follow.  May you always be a seeker!

Readings:  Genesis 20:1-22:24; Matthew 7:15-29; Psalm 9:1-12a; Proverbs 2:16-22

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." -- Matthew 6:12

Here we have the classic "Golden Rule".  It is the one shared by almost every religion in the world.  It is the ethic that even atheists it seems can get behind.  C.S. Lewis illustrates it beautifully in his book Mere Christianity, when he argues against moral relativism.  He says basically (I'm paraphrasing here)  that moral relativism works for one until someone's morality works against them.  In other words, I may be okay with the act of stealing and don't feel as though I should be labeled a criminal for it-- until someone steals from me-- then I find the whole thing outrageously wrong.  You could use any number of examples to illustrate it, but the point remains: if you wouldn't want it done to you, don't do it-- it's wrong.  There are absolutes in this world.  It's not all relative.

Readings:  Genesis 18:20-19:38; Matthew 6:25-7:14; Psalm 8:1-9; Proverbs 2:6-15

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." -- Matthew 6:1

Some read this and think we are not to be seen or known for good things we do.  I believe that to be a misreading of the text.  What it comes down to is the motivation for your 'acts of righteousness'.  Matthew tells us not to do them before others in order to be seen by them.  In other words, check the motive.  Are you doing good so that others can see how good you are, or are you doing good regardless of whether others see you or not?  Modeling righteousness can be instructive and inspiring.  But if it's motivated by human pride-- hoping for, or expecting accolades, then how righteous is it?

Readings:  Genesis 16:1-18:19; Matthew 6:1-24; Psalm 7:1-17; Proverbs 2:1-5

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." -- Matthew 5:43-45

This is a tough one.  To love an enemy-- say some random person from a country that is an "enemy" of your country-- could be fairly easy because you don't know the person and they don't know you.  Rather it's the idea of a person some distance away.  If we were enemies with Antarcticans, we could say, "while our countries or continents are at war, I love the Antarctican people."  But to love someone closer to home who hates you, wishes harm to you and your family-- how do you love them?  Fighting hate with hate doesn't work.  Fighting hate with love can change the world.  Does someone have an example of this kind of love in action?  Please share.

Readings:  Genesis 13:5-15:21; Matthew 5:27-48; Psalm 6:1-10; Proverbs 1:29-33

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Niether do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." -- Matthew 5:14-16

More than anything, it is fear that keeps people from doing what God calls them to do.  Especially when it comes to being visible in front of people, fear has a tendency to keep us lost in the crowd.  We say we don't want to draw attention to ourselves.  We say we don't want to be different from others.  We let the "crazy ones" be the ones people watch... but this text challenges us about all that.  God has given you gifts to use for his purpose, and while it doesn't necessarily mean being in front of crowds speaking or performing, it does mean being seen by others for who you are.  There's no need to hide your true self.  It's the light that God gave uniquely to you.  Let it shine!

Readings: Genesis 11:1-13:4; Matthew 5:1-26; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 1:24-28 

"Come follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. -- Matthew 4:19-20

Isn't it amazing that these fishermen would "at once" drop their nets and follow Jesus?  What was it-- his magnetism?  His charisma?  Did he have them in a trance?  Did he offer them a lot of money?  Most likely, Peter and Andrew knew about Jesus.  They knew him not as a savior, but as a rabbi.  In that day, the rabbi was the rock star.  The rabbi was the position in society most coveted and respected.  And for a rabbi to say "follow me" was a tremendous honor.  It meant you were receiving an invitation to apprentice to become one yourself.  Fishermen weren't typically qualified to follow a rabbi.  So I can imagine these two thinking, "this is our shot-- let's take it now!"  If you want to hear more about this, check out Nooma's video titled "Dust".

Readings:  Genesis 8:1-10:32; Matthew 4:12-25; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 1:20-23