"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." -- Psalm 23:1-2

This is one of the most comforting and endearing texts in all of Scripture.  We go to it when we're anxious, when we're grieving, when we are confused, when we are afraid.  We also go to it when we're thankful, hopeful, and even when we're joyful.  It is one for the ages and has been memorized generation after generation.  If you have not memorized the 23rd Psalm, I highly recommend you do so.  It speaks to God's nature in that he is one that will provide for us, guide us in right ways, and when we're stressed, frazzled, and just generally discombobulated, he will make us lie down in green pastures.  I've heard that when sheep would be anxious, the shepherd would physically force them to lie down, which would have an amazing calming effect.  Sometimes, when life seems to be short-circuiting and we're all out-of-sorts, we just need to lie down, feel the hand of God upon us, and breathe deep.  In that moment, we know we're not alone, and there is one greater than we guiding us, and providing for us.  

Readings:  Exodus 5:22-7:24; Matthew 18:23-19:12; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 5:22-23

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." -- Matthew 18:19-20

By and large, we humans are a competitive bunch.  When we seek to be the best at something, we measure our ability relative to others.  For the most part, it's healthy and it makes us all better when we push ourselves and each other in this way.  But if that's the only path to success we travel on, we're missing out.  In this text Jesus clearly shows us a more potent path.  He says that where two or three  (or more) come together in his name, there he is too.  The mathematics here is not addition.  It's multiplication.  When we put aside our competitive individualism and come together to seek the will of God and set our hearts and minds to his end, it's not the talents of one person + the talents of another, but it's the talents of one times the talents of another plus the power of Christ.  If we really want to make a difference in the world, we need each other to do it, and we need the presence and power of God to fuel it.  That's what happens when we do it together.  Not that they intended to, but The Beatles may have actually spoken well on this point when they said:  Come together... right now... over me.


Readings:  Exodus 4:1-5:21; Matthew 18:1-22; Psalm 22:19-31; Proverbs 5:15-21

"But Moses said to God, 'Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?'" -- Exodus 3:11

Big things are happening in this text.  God is revealing himself to Moses through the burning bush that doesn't burn up and is calling him to lead his people out of slavery and out of Egypt.  Moses' response:  "who am I?" We see movies like the 10 Commandments with portrayals of Moses done by people like Charlton Heston and we see a strong confident leader with a voice made to narrate the Bible itself.  But Moses was a man who had a confidence issue and a speech impediment.  He wasn't a speaker, and he wasn't looking to be the front-man of any sort of movement.  He probably wanted to live out his life quietly in hiding because of the crime he committed when he murdered the abusive Egyptian.  But whether Moses wanted it or not is immaterial because God wanted him.  And when you are called by God, well... you go.


God calls each of us to work that is beyond what we think possible for us.  Like Moses, we think, "who am I to make a difference?"  You are uniquely created by God to love God and love others in a way that only you can.  You have a key to making the world a little more heaven-like.  This is what is referred to as "your calling".  Listen for the voice of God around you, in you, as well as through others, and be attentive to what God might be saying to you.  And you say, "who me?"  Yes, of all people... you.   


Readings:  Exodus 2:11-3:22; Matthew 17:10-27; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 5:7-14

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.'" -- Matthew 16:24-25

I wonder what went through the disciples minds when they heard Jesus say this.  It came right after Jesus explained to them that he would have to suffer at the hands of the religious elite. Peter wouldn't hear of it. How can it be that the Messiah would have to suffer?  It made no sense.  Today, we hear this notion of picking up our cross, and it's hard to connect. What does it mean to take up one's cross?  What do you mean I have to lose my life to find it?  The takeaway here is that as long as we're living strictly for ourselves, we will miss out on the opportunity to really experience the life God desires for us.  We miss the opportunity to live out of a sense of calling and purpose.  But when we live for God and give our lives to following his will, we find that life can have color and meaning and tremendous value-- even if we have to suffer in the midst of it.  The fear of suffering can be paralyzing and can prevent us from stepping out.  When we suffer, it's no fun, but we don't fear it anymore, and we can actually move through it.  How is fear of losing something keeping you from living the life you feel God is calling you to live?

Readings:  Genesis 50:1-Exodus 2:10; Matthew 16:13-17:9; Psalm 21:1-13; Proverbs 5:1-6

"Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children." -- Matthew 15:36-38

A crowd has gathered and is not going away.  Jesus' disciples are fretting because there's no food with which to feed them.  It's easy for most of us to connect with the first part of the story-- the "need" side of it.  We know what it's like to be hungry-- perhaps not starving in the literal sense, but just hungry and ready to eat.  We know what it's like to feel like we need more material things-- money, clothes, housing, cars, etc.  The spiritual place we want to move toward is the other side of the story-- the "contentment" side.  With only seven loaves and a few small fish, thousands of people were satisfied that day.  A few paragraphs later, Jesus warns his followers to beware the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  Immediately they begin to process this and think it's because they forgot to bring bread.  Then they realize it's not about bread or yeast at all, but about their teachings.  As you mature in the faith, your appetite for material things begins to wane.  Having them is nice and all, but you come to realize that the creature comforts don't provide spiritual nourishment.  When you find yourself wanting more, examine your desire.  Will the material thing you're wanting really come to satisfy your hunger, or will you just then be hungry for more?  Seek ye first the kingdom of God.  Then all these things shall be given unto you.

Readings:  Genesis 48:1-49:33; Matthew 15:29-16:12; Psalm 20:1-9; Proverbs 4:20-27

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." -- Psalm 19:14

This is a prayer for all of us to have on our lips at all times.  Our mothers and fathers told us to think before we speak, much so that we would consider carefully what we were about to say so as to not look ignorant or be misunderstood.  But what if we took that concept and instead of "thinking" before we speak, we "pray" before we speak?  I believe that could change the world.  What to pray?  This very verse.  May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be always pleasing to God!

Readings:  Genesis 46:1- 47:31; Matthew 15:1-28; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 4:14-19

"During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cired out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afreaid." -- Matthew 14:26-27

When we see things that don't make sense, often our response is one of fear.  In this story, it's late night (or very early morning) and the disciples are in the boat and see Jesus walking on the water.  Peter challenges Jesus-- saying "if it's you, Lord, tell me to walk to you on the water."  So Jesus says, "come on!"  Peter begins to actually walk on water!  But as soon as he gets his senses about him, what happens?  He begins to sink.  He cries out to Jesus again in fear, and Jesus saves him.

Fear cripples faith.  It tells us what "can't" instead of what "can".  It stifles our sense of the possible and chokes creativity and vision.  Jesus is calling you to walk on water too.  You can step out in faith, but can you keep going?

Readings:  Genesis 44:1-45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 4:11-13