Today's Word
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Our Lord is so good, He grants us many blessings. We can see Him in the daily course of events, in our homes, our jobs, our lives. I pray that these words help you to grow in your faith and recognize His hand in even the most mundane circumstances.
The picture to the right is of a Celtic Chapel located in Cornwall England. This building is approximately 1700 years old, and contains a holy well known for its healing powers.
(Click for enlarged)
“They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them. But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said to them, ‘Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these. Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.’ He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” Mark 10:13-16, WEB
I once read an article called, “When She Was Three.” It was the musings of a man whose youngest daughter turned four years old. He remembered the joys of having a three-year-old in the house. He was father to several children and noted that he’d had a three-year-old child in the house for several years, but after his youngest’s birthday, he would never have that particular joy again. He talked about the little things that children do that can be annoying as they grow up but are delightful when it is done by a toddler, like those handfuls of dandelions they present as gifts. He recalled the number of times he watched the same show or read the same book. He recalled the questions, the many, many questions beginning with the word “Why?” He recalled his three-year-olds’ first encounters with death. He especially remembered the incredible moments his three-year-olds shined the light of Jesus.
Those of us who have experienced life with a three-year-old understand. It is a magical time of life. Three-year-olds are just beginning to know independence but are still completely dependent. They remember things we don’t even realize they witnessed. They have learned things we do not think it was possible for them to know. To watch a three-year-old is to see an imagination in action. The writer of the article talked about how his daughter sang “Jesus Loves Me” during the Eucharist, despite other music playing, because it was the one hymn she knew by heart. He added, “If she has any organizational skills, she may even get some folks around her singing, too.”
The most beautiful sound in church is a child singing “Jesus Loves Me” even if it has nothing to do with what is happening around them.
Children learn by repetition, and they learn the liturgy and music and things of God learn by being in church regularly. It brings me such joy to watch the children in our church recite Lord’s Prayer and join in singing hymns of praise. Even when they don’t know what is being said or can’t read what’s on the screens, they know the pattern of worship. I’ve heard more than one three-year-old respond to the end of a prayer a loud and enthusiastic “Amen” a heartbeat after the rest of us. It always makes me smile. We might think they have no idea what they are saying, but children know in their hearts the joy and peace of God’s grace much better than any adult. According to Matthew, Jesus said, “See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” We think we know so much about God, but children are so close to Him that they have not yet forgotten that He is their Father.
I smiled as I read that article because I remembered my own three-year-olds. It was a long time ago, but I can still feel their little hands reaching for mine. I can still feel their weight on my lap as we read a favorite book for the hundredth time. I can still see their faces covered in spaghetti sauce. I still call Coleslaw “cold slop” because I hear my daughter’s voice mispronouncing the word. I can still see my son giving communion to his herd of stuffed animals one afternoon. The sounds of “Jesus Loves Me” and “Amen” ring in my ears, returning me to my own childlike relationship with my Father in heaven. Jesus welcomed the little children into His presence with enthusiasm because they love Jesus and know the way to heaven is to trust in Him. May we learn from them and love God with our whole hearts, enthusiastically praising Him even at those moments that are not expected.
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“Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, ‘Rejoice!’ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things. The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:1-9, WEB
Have you ever known anyone who was perpetually happy? Have you known one of those people that no matter where they are, no matter what is happening in their life they have a smile on their face? In the movie “Sister Act” starring Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Najimy played Sister Mary Patrick, an upbeat nun who helped Sister Mary Clarence (Whoopi) find her place in the convent. Sister Mary Clarence was actually Delores Van Cartier, a Las Vegas headliner who was in hiding because her boyfriend had threatened her life. The convent life was far from Delores s comfort zone and no matter how temporary it was to be, she needed people to help her adjust.
In one scene, Sister Mary Clarence and Sister Mary Patrick were sitting together, chatting about their lives. Slightly annoyed by the constant giddiness, Sister Mary Clarence asked Sister Mary Patrick if she was always so happy. Sister Mary Patrick answered, “Yes” and said that her mother thought she would grow up to be either a stewardess or a nun. Most of us look at people like her with the same annoyance as Delores. We can’t imagine always being happy. It is exhausting to be with them, how much more exhausting must it be to be them?
Yet Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, ‘Rejoice!’” Always is a very long time. Sister Mary Clarence seems to have found that place where she seems to be always rejoicing, but I don’t know many people who can get there. We go through a whole range of emotions, sometimes in just minutes. Even as we watch the movie “Sister Act” we experience fear, worry, sadness, hope, doubt and happiness. We react to the experiences of those characters on screen, and we respond with smiles as well as tears.
However, rejoicing need not manifest merely as giddiness. Sister Mary Clarence has that kind of happiness, even in tough times, because she always sees the glass as half full. But we can rejoice even as we cry tears of pain and doubt because in this passage Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord.” This is different than mere happiness. This is living out trust in God and responding to the world with a steadfast faith that is visible to the world. It does not mean we have to smile at all moments, but it means standing firm in the promises of God knowing that He is faithful. It means praising God even in the midst of the pain and trouble that we experience. It means being thankful, even when it seems like there is nothing to be thankful for.
Sadly, this letter was written by Paul in part because two fellow co-workers for Christ were at odds. We don’t know why Euodia and Syntyche were fighting, but I’m sure we all know people who disagree with one another. Each is passionate about their opinion and is willing to fight for what they believe to be right and true. That is certainly true right now in the United States as politics has divided our nation. Many are divided over religion, also, even Christians. Perhaps Euodia and Syntyche had differing opinions about certain doctrines of faith or the direction of the new and growing Church. It would be impossible to find full agreement in the pews of our churches today, let alone between church bodies.
But Paul said that we should “think the same way in the Lord." Does this mean that we have to agree fully about every detail of our faith? Some might think so, but Paul goes on to talk about rejoicing in the Lord. Despite our differences (differences that occur because God has created us as unique individuals), we can be of the same mind, praising God in all circumstances, even when things are not going so well.
We can share the peace of God as we dwell in the love of God in Christ Jesus, instead of dwelling in our differences. As Paul wrote, “Whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things.” Jesus Christ is all this, and in Him we can rejoice together, singing praise and thanksgiving to God.
The following links provide some specially chosen scripture that tell the stories of the Birth and Passion of our Lord as Saviour Jesus Christ, as well as a fictional perspective of the Crucifixion. Spend time in God's Word, read about His life and learn of the wonderful gifts He has for you. Know Jesus Christ and honour Him today. Thanks be to God.
The Story of our Saviour's Passion
The Crucifixion, a fictional perspective
When researching, I use several versions of the bible, including the New International Version and English Standard Version. Due to copyright restrictions, I have not included quotes for the scriptures on some of the archives, but highly encourage you to open your own bibles to read the scripture passages for yourselves. Where scripture is quoted, it is usually the American Standard Version or World English Bible which belong to the public domain. Any other versions used in quotes are identified.
The devotion posted on Wednesday is based on the Lectionary texts used by millions of Christians each Sunday. The Lectionary consists of four texts: an Old Testament passage, a Psalm, a passage from one of the Epistles and a Gospel text and follows the church calendar. Archives for these writings are found at Midweek Oasis.
You are welcome to use these words to share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. Please remember to give credit to the Author who has given you these gifts, and keep in remembrance the vessel which He used to bring them to you. We pray that this site may be a blessing to you and anyone with whom you've shared it. Peggy Hoppes
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