A Life Worthy

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21).

You have limited resources.

Your time, your strength, your money, your energy, your talent, your skill, your stuff–these are finite assets.  How are you using them?

Invest wisely today, Beloved.

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.   But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-15).

I keep waiting for some pastor or teacher to explain how this verse doesn’t mean what it seems to mean.  You know, how there are 72 Greek words translated forgive, and how our position in Christ has absolutely nothing to do with the way we treat our fellow man.

Frankly, I think I’ll be waiting a long time.

This verse means…what it means.

Our Father has little room in his kingdom for hypocrisy.

Does God call you to be a doormat?  No, Beloved. Some relationships are toxic, and should not continue.  But that does not mean that you let bitterness and anger and frustration and betrayal and vengeance fill your heart and rule your life.  You have to let God sweep that junk out, and forgiveness is the broom.

What?  You’re not strong enough to forgive what they did?  You need help?

No problem, Beloved.  I know a guy…

Happy Monday, Beloved.

For yours is the kingdom, and the power,and the glory… (Matthew 6:13)

Glory is an interesting word.  It’s not one we use often, or about ordinary things.  Glory is the stuff of epic and legend and Marvel®ous myth, of achievements and beauty and power far beyond our own.  

Glory is the currency of heroes.

When you think of God, how do you picture him?  Do you see him as the kindly old grandfather, patient and gentle and loving–

or do you see a warrior-king, awesome in power and strength, blinding to look at?

He’s both.  

And so much more.

You serve a glorious Lord, Beloved.  Walk in awe today.

Happy Thursday

For the next few days, I will be looking at what some might consider a questionable part of Scripture.  The traditional ending of the Lord’s Prayer is not in the earliest copies of Matthew, so many people don’t consider it canon.  Look, Beloved, I’m not going heretic on you. It’s simply that I memorized this passage by learning the song, and the song includes the doxology at the end, and so it feels incomplete not to include it.  Besides, there is nothing in these lines that contradicts the rest of Scripture. I hope you’re cool with that.

For yours is the kingdom…(Matthew 6:13)

God’s in charge.

I think the theological response to that is, “No duh.”

And yet, this is the critical statement for every living being.  It is God’s kingdom, not mine. No matter how much I want to be the boss, no matter how desperately I feel the need to be in control of every situation, it is not my kingdom.  Recognizing and embracing that is the first step in relationship with Him, and it’s a step that I have to repeat daily.  It’s kind of a simple paradigm realignment:

You are God.

I am not.

That is good.

Now I can go on with my day.

So, Beloved…

He is God.

You are not.

That is good.

Happy Tuesday.  

Forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us (Matthew 6:12).

Your translation probably says “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” but I like this version, and it’s my blog, so…

I’m actually pretty good at forgiveness.  When someone asks my pardon, I generally give it readily and fully.  That’s not because I am Super Saint. It’s just that I remember this verse.

And I see that little word as.

See, the line reads, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive…”

In other words, we are asking that the Father forgive us in the same way that we forgive others.

Well, I want to be forgiven fully and freely and immediately and thoroughly.

So…

There you go.

Mercenary? Perhaps…but there you go.

Walk in forgiveness today, Beloved.

Happy Friday.