Romans 3:22-24 For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
These were some of the verses we read last Sunday in observation of Reformation Sunday. They come up in the daily lectionary today because tomorrow (October 31) is not really Halloween, it's Reformation Day.. the anniversary of that crazy Martin Luther putting his crazy 95 These up on that church door. So we read them again. But I think it's worth it. Here's why.
I've read these verses hundreds of times. I've preached on them or taught them dozens of times. Confirmation classes, adult classes, new member classes, sermons. I've read them and I've studied them and I've tried to come up with creative ways to talk about them.
And it hit me today: this is really hard stuff.
I WANT to be able to do something. I WANT to be able to please God. I WANT to be able to know I'm on the right track. I WANT to be able to know whether or not I'm being a good Christian. And these words (which I profoundly believe to be true) tell me I can't. It's just a gift.
Sometimes gifts are hard to accept, aren't they?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember our special All Saints schedule: Education at 9:00, Worship at 10:00, Meal following.
Set your clock back Saturday night.
For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Thursday
Hebrews 9:12 Christ entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
It's done. There's nothing more you have to do. There's nothing more you can do.
Jesus Christ put himself out as the ultimate sacrifice. God doesn't want any goats or calves. It's all been bought and paid for. All your sins are forgiven. Even the ones you haven't imagined yet.
It's done. There's nothing more you have to do. There's nothing more you can do.
So why are you still trying?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember our special All Saints schedule: Education at 9:00, Worship at 10:00, Meal following.
Set your clock back Saturday night.
For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
It's done. There's nothing more you have to do. There's nothing more you can do.
Jesus Christ put himself out as the ultimate sacrifice. God doesn't want any goats or calves. It's all been bought and paid for. All your sins are forgiven. Even the ones you haven't imagined yet.
It's done. There's nothing more you have to do. There's nothing more you can do.
So why are you still trying?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember our special All Saints schedule: Education at 9:00, Worship at 10:00, Meal following.
Set your clock back Saturday night.
For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
1 John 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.
The writer of this letter is concerned that his hearers would understand that not everything is true. Apparently relativism and blind acceptance of everything that comes along is not just a phenomenon of the 21st Century. Here's an ancient letter with the same concern: how we do know what's true? How do we know what comes from God? "Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God."
Look at Jesus. Look at Jesus, who left behind the glory of heaven to take on human flesh. If what you're hearing is consistent with that, then it comes from God. So let's try an exercise: "God likes my kind of people more than that kind of people." Does that sound like something Jesus would have bothered to take on flesh to say? To die for? Nope. OK, here's another one: "God wants all people to know love and grace." Does that sound like Jesus? I think it's closer. This might be a fun thing to try today: take any absolute statements you hear... from radio personalities, friends, parents, pastors... and put them up to this test. See what happens.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember our special All Saints schedule: Education at 9:00, Worship at 10:00, Meal following.
Set your clock back Saturday night.
For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
The writer of this letter is concerned that his hearers would understand that not everything is true. Apparently relativism and blind acceptance of everything that comes along is not just a phenomenon of the 21st Century. Here's an ancient letter with the same concern: how we do know what's true? How do we know what comes from God? "Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God."
Look at Jesus. Look at Jesus, who left behind the glory of heaven to take on human flesh. If what you're hearing is consistent with that, then it comes from God. So let's try an exercise: "God likes my kind of people more than that kind of people." Does that sound like something Jesus would have bothered to take on flesh to say? To die for? Nope. OK, here's another one: "God wants all people to know love and grace." Does that sound like Jesus? I think it's closer. This might be a fun thing to try today: take any absolute statements you hear... from radio personalities, friends, parents, pastors... and put them up to this test. See what happens.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember our special All Saints schedule: Education at 9:00, Worship at 10:00, Meal following.
Set your clock back Saturday night.
For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Tuesday
2 Kings 6:21-23 When the king of Israel saw them he said to Elisha, “Father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” He answered, “No! Did you capture with your sword and your bow those whom you want to kill? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink; and let them go to their master.” So he prepared for them a great feast; after they ate and drank, he sent them on their way, and they went to their master. And the Arameans no longer came raiding into the land of Israel.
This is one of those very bizarre and rarely read Bible stories. The Israelites and the Arameans are at war. Elisha, God's prophet, is giving the Israelites an advantage, so the King of Aram has a plan to get rid of Elisha. And the plan gets foiled and the Arameans are served up on a platter to the king of Israel. Who gets all giddy with excitement: "Can I kill them? Can I kill them?"
Any normal rule of war would say "Yes." But Elisha holds the king of Israel to a higher standard. He tells the king of Israel to feed these prisoners and to send them home. "And the Aramenas no longer came raiding into the land of Israel." Perhaps down the path of radical forgiveness is the only way to peace. Something to think about today.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember our special All Saints schedule: Education at 9:00, Worship at 10:00, Meal following.
For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
This is one of those very bizarre and rarely read Bible stories. The Israelites and the Arameans are at war. Elisha, God's prophet, is giving the Israelites an advantage, so the King of Aram has a plan to get rid of Elisha. And the plan gets foiled and the Arameans are served up on a platter to the king of Israel. Who gets all giddy with excitement: "Can I kill them? Can I kill them?"
Any normal rule of war would say "Yes." But Elisha holds the king of Israel to a higher standard. He tells the king of Israel to feed these prisoners and to send them home. "And the Aramenas no longer came raiding into the land of Israel." Perhaps down the path of radical forgiveness is the only way to peace. Something to think about today.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember our special All Saints schedule: Education at 9:00, Worship at 10:00, Meal following.
For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
Monday, October 26, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Monday
Exodus 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But suppose they do not believe me or listen to me, but say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’“
So God has appeared to Moses. From a burning bush... don't forget that point. And God asked Moses to go speak to the Israelites who are slaves in Egypt and to lead them out of slavery into the future that God has promised them. And Moses is looking for excuses to avoid the job. First point: if God speaks to you out of a burning bush, probably not the best time to be looking for excuses. Second point: we're a lot like Moses, aren't we?
We're afraid people will think we're crazy. If we go to talk to people about God and what God has done in our lives and why we bother spending time and money at church, we're afraid they'll think we're a bit nutty. There are many times when I have not quite wanted to get into the conversation with people because of what they might think... how am I going to follow up if they don't believe what I tell them about God? So Moses got a staff that did tricks... it turned into a snake. But what have you got? What evidence do you have in your life for God's presence and God's love? Do you have a family? A home? A meal today? I know it's not a snake-turning staff, but it's probably enough for today. Go with it.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember our special All Saints schedule: Education at 9:00, Worship at 10:00, Meal following.
For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
So God has appeared to Moses. From a burning bush... don't forget that point. And God asked Moses to go speak to the Israelites who are slaves in Egypt and to lead them out of slavery into the future that God has promised them. And Moses is looking for excuses to avoid the job. First point: if God speaks to you out of a burning bush, probably not the best time to be looking for excuses. Second point: we're a lot like Moses, aren't we?
We're afraid people will think we're crazy. If we go to talk to people about God and what God has done in our lives and why we bother spending time and money at church, we're afraid they'll think we're a bit nutty. There are many times when I have not quite wanted to get into the conversation with people because of what they might think... how am I going to follow up if they don't believe what I tell them about God? So Moses got a staff that did tricks... it turned into a snake. But what have you got? What evidence do you have in your life for God's presence and God's love? Do you have a family? A home? A meal today? I know it's not a snake-turning staff, but it's probably enough for today. Go with it.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember our special All Saints schedule: Education at 9:00, Worship at 10:00, Meal following.
For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
Friday, October 23, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Friday
Hebrews 7:18-19
18There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment because it was weak and ineffectual 19(for the law made nothing perfect); there is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God.
There is, on the other hand, this other hope. I don't know about you, but it can be rather tiresome to continually hear stories of bad news and despair. And, while the writer of Hebrews sets out the destruction of this earlier commandment, we also get "the other side" of the story. More powerful than a simple silver lining to a story, this other hand points to Jesus and is indeed a better hope.
However, I'll be taking it as a personal challenge to use this method over the next few days. As I find myself complaining, discouraged or simply frustrated, I'll be looking to the other hand -- the other hand of hope, the other hand of faith, that other hand that points to Jesus. I invite you to join me.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
18There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment because it was weak and ineffectual 19(for the law made nothing perfect); there is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God.
There is, on the other hand, this other hope. I don't know about you, but it can be rather tiresome to continually hear stories of bad news and despair. And, while the writer of Hebrews sets out the destruction of this earlier commandment, we also get "the other side" of the story. More powerful than a simple silver lining to a story, this other hand points to Jesus and is indeed a better hope.
However, I'll be taking it as a personal challenge to use this method over the next few days. As I find myself complaining, discouraged or simply frustrated, I'll be looking to the other hand -- the other hand of hope, the other hand of faith, that other hand that points to Jesus. I invite you to join me.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Thursday, October 22, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Thursday
Hebrews 6:19-20 19We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, 20where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.
The actual assigned reading for the day is the first ten verses of Hebrews 7, most of which discuss just what it means to be a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. A priest who was blessed by kings and determined to be a priest forever -- even though he didn't come from the right lineage.
While making this connection to Jesus, the writer of Hebrews was reinforcing the place of Jesus in a way that the readers and hearers would understand. They all knew who Melchizedek was without much explanation. While he's important to us, and the historical placement is important, the hope that Jesus brings to us is even more important. This hope that Jesus brings -- a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul -- is what moves us through dark times and what keeps us connected to God.
Blessings on your day of hope.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
The actual assigned reading for the day is the first ten verses of Hebrews 7, most of which discuss just what it means to be a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. A priest who was blessed by kings and determined to be a priest forever -- even though he didn't come from the right lineage.
While making this connection to Jesus, the writer of Hebrews was reinforcing the place of Jesus in a way that the readers and hearers would understand. They all knew who Melchizedek was without much explanation. While he's important to us, and the historical placement is important, the hope that Jesus brings to us is even more important. This hope that Jesus brings -- a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul -- is what moves us through dark times and what keeps us connected to God.
Blessings on your day of hope.
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
Psalm 37:30-31
30The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
and their tongues speak justice.
31The law of their God is in their hearts;
their steps do not slip.
Sometimes it seems like we know things with our heads, but not with our hearts. The words of the psalmist remind us to hold the law of God in our hearts -- to let that be our guide for our steps. This past weekend many communities held CROP Walks, and people's steps helped raise money for world hunger.
It's not everyday that our steps can do that, and maybe you feel like your feet won't carry you very far anymore. But there's still something we can do -- we can let our tongues speak justice, and we can hold the law of God in our hearts. Where will your feet take you today? What will your steps do? What will your tongue speak?
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
30The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
and their tongues speak justice.
31The law of their God is in their hearts;
their steps do not slip.
Sometimes it seems like we know things with our heads, but not with our hearts. The words of the psalmist remind us to hold the law of God in our hearts -- to let that be our guide for our steps. This past weekend many communities held CROP Walks, and people's steps helped raise money for world hunger.
It's not everyday that our steps can do that, and maybe you feel like your feet won't carry you very far anymore. But there's still something we can do -- we can let our tongues speak justice, and we can hold the law of God in our hearts. Where will your feet take you today? What will your steps do? What will your tongue speak?
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
Friday, October 16, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Friday
Revelation 17:13-14 These [ten kings] are united in yielding their power and authority to the beast; they will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.’
There are a lot of things about God's plan for the end of this world that I don't know. Looking back at that sentence of the screen, I can safely say I've never written a more obvious sentence. I don't know what the end is going to be like. I don't know when it's going to come. I don't know how God is going to come. There are some clues in Scripture, but they are often muddy and shrouded in mystery and symbolism. And generally those clues are more about what people saw happening around them nearly 2000 years ago than they are about any future God has in store.
But as I read Revelation, there is one thing that's pretty clear: God's intended future is bad news for kings. If you rule over a kingdom or think that you're pretty powerful and important, God will one day have a different message for you. That much is clear.
And that is good news. It's good news for those of us who feel powerless more than we feel powerful. God will free you. It's good news for all of us because if I had to choose a king to make the right decisions, I think I'm going to go with God. Call me crazy.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com. For worship, visit All Saints Sunday morning at 8:30 or 11.
There are a lot of things about God's plan for the end of this world that I don't know. Looking back at that sentence of the screen, I can safely say I've never written a more obvious sentence. I don't know what the end is going to be like. I don't know when it's going to come. I don't know how God is going to come. There are some clues in Scripture, but they are often muddy and shrouded in mystery and symbolism. And generally those clues are more about what people saw happening around them nearly 2000 years ago than they are about any future God has in store.
But as I read Revelation, there is one thing that's pretty clear: God's intended future is bad news for kings. If you rule over a kingdom or think that you're pretty powerful and important, God will one day have a different message for you. That much is clear.
And that is good news. It's good news for those of us who feel powerless more than we feel powerful. God will free you. It's good news for all of us because if I had to choose a king to make the right decisions, I think I'm going to go with God. Call me crazy.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com. For worship, visit All Saints Sunday morning at 8:30 or 11.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Thursday
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hope is an important thing in the Christian tradition, and in the Christian way of life. Paul, writing to the Romans, wanted them to understand and to get the power of hope for their lives in the faith. Sometimes the best way to communicate how important something is is not to write about it, but just to keep using the word. It's a pretty good clue for readers that it is important. So Paul uses the word hope twice in this brief sentence. Hope is used as a basic descriptor of who God is. As you might say "Pastor Seth the bearded," Paul says "the God of hope." Hope is that central and basic to what God is about in the world. And Paul wishes that his readers would "abound in hope." So God is a God of hope and we are to abound in hope. The life of faith is about walking in hope and trusting in the God of hope.
Trust in hope. Walk in hope. Live in hope. Be in hope. Abound in hope. Hope. Hope. Hope. The God of hope. Hope.
In Christ (and hope),
Pastor Seth
For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
Hope is an important thing in the Christian tradition, and in the Christian way of life. Paul, writing to the Romans, wanted them to understand and to get the power of hope for their lives in the faith. Sometimes the best way to communicate how important something is is not to write about it, but just to keep using the word. It's a pretty good clue for readers that it is important. So Paul uses the word hope twice in this brief sentence. Hope is used as a basic descriptor of who God is. As you might say "Pastor Seth the bearded," Paul says "the God of hope." Hope is that central and basic to what God is about in the world. And Paul wishes that his readers would "abound in hope." So God is a God of hope and we are to abound in hope. The life of faith is about walking in hope and trusting in the God of hope.
Trust in hope. Walk in hope. Live in hope. Be in hope. Abound in hope. Hope. Hope. Hope. The God of hope. Hope.
In Christ (and hope),
Pastor Seth
For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Wednesday
Psalm 26:1 Vindicate me, O Lord,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
For the past two days, we've been reading passages from Obadiah: we've been reading about a people (the Edomites) who were guilty of sin because they sat on the sidelines and watched, and even helped, the Babylonians to conquer Israel and Jerusalem. Today we read a prayer from the psalmist that sounds more like something that might be prayed by the Israelites in that situation. I've done nothing wrong, Lord, and still I'm being hurt. Help me.
Why do bad things happen to good people? Ultimately, there is not a satisfying answer to that question. What our tradition does give us is the gift of prayer and promise. When bad things are happening to us, we can pray for God to help. We can pray for God to help others who are in difficult circumstances. And promise. We are promised that the bad things are never the end of the story. Though they come, our story never ends there. The Lord will answer this prayer from Psalm 26 and vindicate.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Holden Evening Prayer is tonight (Wednesday) at 7 pm. For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
For the past two days, we've been reading passages from Obadiah: we've been reading about a people (the Edomites) who were guilty of sin because they sat on the sidelines and watched, and even helped, the Babylonians to conquer Israel and Jerusalem. Today we read a prayer from the psalmist that sounds more like something that might be prayed by the Israelites in that situation. I've done nothing wrong, Lord, and still I'm being hurt. Help me.
Why do bad things happen to good people? Ultimately, there is not a satisfying answer to that question. What our tradition does give us is the gift of prayer and promise. When bad things are happening to us, we can pray for God to help. We can pray for God to help others who are in difficult circumstances. And promise. We are promised that the bad things are never the end of the story. Though they come, our story never ends there. The Lord will answer this prayer from Psalm 26 and vindicate.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Holden Evening Prayer is tonight (Wednesday) at 7 pm. For conversation, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Tuesday
Obadiah 11 On the day that you stood aside,
on the day that strangers carried off his wealth,
and foreigners entered his gates
and cast lots for Jerusalem,
you too were like one of them.
We continue from yesterday's reading with the vision for the people of Israel from Obadiah about the people of Edom. Remember that Edom had sided with the Babylonians, the big bullies, and helped them to conquer Israel, and had sent their own armies to help in the defeat of Jerusalem. And that's a problem for God. Even if they hadn't helped at all, but had stood by and watched, that's a problem for God.
When we stand by and watch injustice, we are guilty of that injustice. When we can and don't do anything about the hundreds of millions of starving people in the world, we are guilty of that injustice. When we can and don't do anything about violence and neglect and war, we are guilty of that injustice. We are just as guilty as if we participated. Like Edom, sometimes we stand on the sidelines and watch. And like Edom, we are guilty. What can you do today to stand with those who fight for justice?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember to join together for Holden Evening Prayer tomorrow (Wednesday) evening at 7 pm. For conversation about the devotional messages, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
on the day that strangers carried off his wealth,
and foreigners entered his gates
and cast lots for Jerusalem,
you too were like one of them.
We continue from yesterday's reading with the vision for the people of Israel from Obadiah about the people of Edom. Remember that Edom had sided with the Babylonians, the big bullies, and helped them to conquer Israel, and had sent their own armies to help in the defeat of Jerusalem. And that's a problem for God. Even if they hadn't helped at all, but had stood by and watched, that's a problem for God.
When we stand by and watch injustice, we are guilty of that injustice. When we can and don't do anything about the hundreds of millions of starving people in the world, we are guilty of that injustice. When we can and don't do anything about violence and neglect and war, we are guilty of that injustice. We are just as guilty as if we participated. Like Edom, sometimes we stand on the sidelines and watch. And like Edom, we are guilty. What can you do today to stand with those who fight for justice?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember to join together for Holden Evening Prayer tomorrow (Wednesday) evening at 7 pm. For conversation about the devotional messages, visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com/
Monday, October 12, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Monday
Obadiah 1:1
The vision of Obadiah.
Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom:
We have heard a report from the Lord,
and a messenger has been sent among the nations:
‘Rise up! Let us rise against it for battle!’
Obadiah had a vision. And he shared it with the people. The people of Edom, the people who are the primary subject of the vision, would not have wanted to hear Obadiah's vision. They probably would have dismissed it as the crazy rantings of a nutcase. The vision consists primarily of pretty graphic promises of how the kingdom of Edom and the Edomites are going to be brought down from their mighty perches and destroyed. There's a reason that the book of Obadiah isn't featured heavily in children's Bibles.
But the Lord's message through Obadiah wasn't FOR the Edomites. It was for the Israelites, about the Edomites. The Edomites were not Israelites. They were a neighboring small kingdom. They had sided with the mighty Babylonians and helped them destroy Jerusalem. To get a small piece of the pie, they had sided with the big bully on the block and conquered Jerusalem. And the promise of God is: that's not the end of the story. The victory of the bullies is not the end of the story. The victory of those who side with the bullies is not the end of the story. God has another ending.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Remember to join together for Holden Evening Prayer this Wednesday at 7 pm. Also, discuss this reflection, and others, at http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com
Friday, October 2, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Friday
Romans 8:7 But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit* is life because of righteousness.
Is it in you? At church we have a huge cardboard cutout of Tiger Woods (from our golf outing this summer) and Tiger asks the question "Is it in you?" I think he's asking something about Gatorade. Or competitive fire. Or electrolytes. Or something.
But when you come to worship this Sunday, take a look at Tiger. Take a look at the question "Is it in you?" And answer yes.... Christ is in you. Put there in your baptism and it can never be taken away. No matter what they say. No matter what they do. You are a child of God. You've got Christ in you.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
To "talk back," visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com. Remember to come and worship this Sunday at 8:30 and 11, with education hour at 9:45.
Is it in you? At church we have a huge cardboard cutout of Tiger Woods (from our golf outing this summer) and Tiger asks the question "Is it in you?" I think he's asking something about Gatorade. Or competitive fire. Or electrolytes. Or something.
But when you come to worship this Sunday, take a look at Tiger. Take a look at the question "Is it in you?" And answer yes.... Christ is in you. Put there in your baptism and it can never be taken away. No matter what they say. No matter what they do. You are a child of God. You've got Christ in you.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
To "talk back," visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com. Remember to come and worship this Sunday at 8:30 and 11, with education hour at 9:45.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
ASLC Devotions -- Thursday
Galatians 3:27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
When I look at myself in the mirror each morning I see the faults. I see the graying (or blonding) hairs in the beard. I see the pounds that shouldn't be there. I see the bags under my eyes. I see the faults. And, being perfectly honesty, I often see the faults in other people too. I see their strange sense of fashion. I see their personality quirks and their irritableness. I see what bothers me about them.
It's a good reminder that when God looks at us, God doesn't see those things. We've been clothed with Christ. When God looks at us, all that God sees is Christ. God sees purity that isn't there. God sees innocence that's been lost. God sees worthiness that was never there. It's a good reminder. And for some mornings... for today.... that's enough.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
To "talk back," visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com. Remember to come and worship this Sunday at 8:30 and 11, with education hour at 9:45.
When I look at myself in the mirror each morning I see the faults. I see the graying (or blonding) hairs in the beard. I see the pounds that shouldn't be there. I see the bags under my eyes. I see the faults. And, being perfectly honesty, I often see the faults in other people too. I see their strange sense of fashion. I see their personality quirks and their irritableness. I see what bothers me about them.
It's a good reminder that when God looks at us, God doesn't see those things. We've been clothed with Christ. When God looks at us, all that God sees is Christ. God sees purity that isn't there. God sees innocence that's been lost. God sees worthiness that was never there. It's a good reminder. And for some mornings... for today.... that's enough.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
To "talk back," visit http://aslcdevotions.blogspot.com. Remember to come and worship this Sunday at 8:30 and 11, with education hour at 9:45.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)