"A fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good." -- Psalm 53:1

It fascinates me sometimes when I hear someone say they don't believe in God, and yet find them to be loving and caring toward others.  We sometimes view people who do evil and wicked things and say of them, "they have no soul".  And we read this Psalm, and it fits the description of that evil person who lives only for themselves perfectly.  They live their life harming and killing any who get in their path.  Their moral compass is lacking.  Their understanding of right and wrong is warped.  But what to do about two other groups: one being believers who do evil things, and the other being nonbelievers who seem to be saints?

The first group is found everywhere, and for the most part, we are all members of this group.  We sin.  When the world sees us sin, they assign the label "hypocrite" to us, and their suspicion that religion is just a bunch of bull is confirmed.  What they don't see is repentance and the grace that follows.  Yes, this group is massive in scale.  It's called the Church.

The other group is the one more intriguing.  This group is comprised of people who use love as the guiding moral of their life.  They say that they don't believe in God, but they love unconditionally to the point that they would lay their life down for a friend.  This is the very nature of the love Jesus was teaching.  Now if God is Love, as 1 John tells us, and Jesus is the manifestation of God (Love) in human form, and the Spirit is the presence of God (Love) with us now, I wonder what is their definition of God?  Do they know that God is Love?  Do they know that the most important commandments we profess is to love God and love each other?  They follow them quite closely.  Who is this God they're talking about when they say they don't believe?

Readings:  Numbers 14:1-15:16; Mark 14:53-72; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 11:4

"Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 'Abba, Father,' he said, 'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'" -- Mark 14:35-36

It's striking to see Jesus in such a vulnerable state.  He realizes what must happen, and that he will soon be carrying a cross and hanging on it. But we see his human side so clearly here.  There's a part of him that doesn't want to accept it.  "Take this cup from me," he prays.  He knows that if God wills it, he might be spared the suffering he's about to endure.  But the other part of the prayer: "yet not what I will, but what you will"... sometimes, it's hard to understand why God would will that we go through times of trial and challenge.  The truth is, we can't see the other side.  We don't have the view God has.  So it comes down to trust.  Do you trust God?  Do you know that he desires the best for you?  It's okay to fear-- we see even Jesus was scared.  But even in that fear, we stay faithful.  It's our prayer that not our will be done, but God's.

Readings:  Numbers 11:24-13:33; Mark 14:22-52; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 11:1-3

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to you unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." -- Psalm 51:1-2

Need a new start?  How incredible it is to have a God who is one of grace.  None of us deserve to be forgiven for the sins we commit, but God has a justice that transcends that of our human nature.  When you are hobbled with guilt and shame for what you've done, when you truly are sorry... cry out this psalm.  It is one God has heard for thousands of years.   Guilt is something born of the past that paralyzes the present and muddies the future.  God wants us to live now.  Cry out to God, and feel his mercy and grace wash over you, and in Christ, be new again. 

Readings: Numbers 10:1-11:23; Mark 14:1-21; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 10:31-32

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come." -- Mark 13:32-33

I love it when I come to these texts that speak of the end of the world.  Given that it's 2012 and so many have predicted this to be the year it all ends, it's nice to hear Jesus reminding us that nobody knows when the day or hour will come.  I suspect he could have added the word "year" in that list as well.  While we don't know when human life ends, it all ends for each of us one day.  Whether that's through a human-extinction-causing event, or individually dying of old age or disease or random accident... death comes to all.  Some try to cheat it, and some even plan to succeed, but it is the awareness of limited time that moves us to make the time we have count.  Good news-- you woke up this morning!  What will you do to make the most of this day?  Live!

Readings:  Numbers 8:1-9:23; Mark 13:14-37; Psalm 50:1-23; Proverbs 10:29-30

"The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing." -- Proverbs 10:28

There are riches to be had by living a simple and good life.  They may or may not be riches in the form of material wealth, but this life leads to an abundance of joy through relationships and trust found in them.  What are the drawbacks of living a good and righteous life?  Please tell me.

Readings: Numbers 6:1-7:89; Mark 12:38-13:13; Psalm 49:1-20; Proverbs 10:27-28

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." -- Mark 12:29-31

This is the verse that Jesus' whole teaching rests on.  You cannot comprehend the New Testament without it.  You cannot understand what the Good News is without it.  To love God and neighbor comprises Jesus' "yoke"-- the rabbi's set of interpretations of the Law.  It is one law in two parts: love God; love each other.  Unlike the yokes of other rabbis, which entail legal expertise on 613 laws found in the Old Testament, this yoke is "easy" and this "burden is light" (see Matt. 11:28).   Easy?  Track your days and see how well you follow this two-part law.  It takes a great deal of work and practice.  Master these, and all the others take care of themselves.

Readings:  Numbers 4:1-5:31; Mark 12:18-37; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 10:26

"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy." -- Psalm 47:1-9

In 2012, March 4th falls on a Sunday, and I write this as I prepare to join others in worship.  This Psalm is one written thousands of years ago and speaks to people lifting praises to their God-- the same God we worship even today.  Think of all of the millions-- even billions-- of voices that have lifted songs and prayers to God over the last several thousand years.  Millions will be doing it today alone.  The reading from Numbers shows the tribalism that was inherent in early Jewish culture.  As I consider those who will worship today across the world, I realize that we (the whole worshiping world) will be doing so in tribes of sorts.  We call them congregations, but we really are quite tribal still.  So who's your "tribe"?  I pray you worship well with them, as we continue the ancient tradition of worship that is alive and well even in techno-rich modernity.  So clap your hands all you tribes, all you congregations, all you nations!

Readings:  Numbers 2:1-3:51; Mark 11:27-12:17; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 10:24-25