Day 1
Read Matthew 5:1-12 and Luke 6: 21-24. Some believe these represent one sermon; others suggest the thoughts were common topics in Jesus' teachings. At the heart of these teachings is the truth that Jesus turns worldly perceptions upside down. Consider that true wealth, joy, fulfillment, peace, purpose, satisfaction…are found in relationship with Jesus. Do you seek fulfillment in the temporal, which is fleeting, or in the eternal? How do the words recorded in John 16:33 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; help us understand Jesus' words in Matthew and Luke? And yet, we mustn't simply spiritualize Jesus’ words, for they embrace our experiences today as well as look ahead to eternity. For example: we might experience physical or spiritual poverty, and Jesus is the one who meets us in our need and promises us his provision (Matthew 5:3; 6:25-33), and we are called to be Jesus to others (John 21:15-17). Ask Jesus to open your eyes to whom you should bless in his name today.
Day 2
Christ's Church: True Disciples -How does Jesus define true disciples in John 8:31? How would our churches be different if we lived this? In Jesus' conversation before John 8:31, he leads those with open hearts to understand who he is. To be disciples, we must know the one whom we follow. Read John 8:12,19b,23,54-58; the claims Jesus makes are ones only God can make. Notice again Jesus’ words in John 8:58, "before Abraham was, I am" (NRSV); now read Exodus 3:14. Spend quiet moments pondering what Jesus is saying. Jesus is God incarnate; he is the light of the world; he calls us to walk in his light. Praise and pray as you read 1 John 1:1-8. Ask the Spirit to help you walk with Jesus.
Day 3
Whose Values? Read James 2:1-10. What or who shapes your values? Do the light and love of Jesus make you yearn to be his hands and feet and heart and voice to others, or do you allow the world to instruct you about what is of great worth? Are you inclined to defer to those who are wealthy, powerful, and famous, to those who have great beauty or amazing athletic prowess, or do you respond to people as Jesus responds to them, seeing the dignity and worth of each individual? In the early church, and in our world today, these are real issues for Christians who desire to reflect the character of Jesus. Ask Jesus to mold your heart according to his eternal values.
Day 4
Setting the Standard Read James 2:1; how is Jesus described? Jesus manifests the glorious presence of God; he is truly Immanuel, and he sets the standard for our behavior and our love. Read John 13:34-35; Romans 15:5-7; Ephesians 5:1-2; and 1 John 4:9-12. Praise God we don’t have to love in our own strength (Romans 5:5; Philippians 4:13)! Nevertheless, loving others and treating them without partiality is not always easy. In the early church Jews and Greeks or a slave and his/her owner might find themselves worshiping together. What situations today might cause the same degree of unease? Ask Jesus to help you reflect his glorious presence in how you treat others.
Day 5
Hearts for the Poor- Apparently some in the early church were exploiting the poor; high interest rates and harsh treatment of debtors were common. As fellow members of the body of Christ, how should we respond to the needs of others? Read Deuteronomy 15:7-8; Proverbs 14:21,31; Micah 6:8; Luke 14:12-14; and Acts 2:43-47. Is there poverty that doesn’t involve financial need? (Consider physical, relational, spiritual, emotional…). Is your heart tender toward those who are in need? Pray that you have a compassionate heart.Tell Jesus you want to be compassionate.
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The most important insight I am picking up on -- albeit slowly -- is the importance of living our daily lives sacredly. I say that not in the sense of specific actions -- let's steer clear of any sense of works righteousness -- more so a sense of attitude.
It begins where discipleship -- something we teach and espouse more and more here at Peace -- meets personal stewardship. They are not separate. But stewardship can and should be -- I believe -- the way we live out, or practice, mission.
Begin -- not only with material goods -- but with all things which God has gifted us. Self: our bodies, our minds; Others: our family, our friends, our community (local and global); Wealth. If we see these things as deserved, or earned, or our own creation, I think that we inevitably make choices which limit possibilities.
I think of this as a "small God" problem. God is small enough not to be counted on or depended upon, let alone respected, worshipped, or glorified. God is limited. At best a partner -- maybe just a part-time consultant at that -- and I've got to carry my own weight -- or, just as woeful IMHO -- someone else, other than God, is expected to carry those burdens.
What this does, I think, is diminish Jesus -- who, by God's wisdom and grace came down to us to lead by example -- as well as the Cross.
I love the way the prophet Micah deals with Israel on this issue.
In my limited experience I don't see a connection between physical and spiritual poverty. I have seen fairly convincing evidence -- firsthand -- of every combination. Again, I think it is a matter of attitude.
Which is not to diminish human suffering and need. Nor ignore it.
I believe that God has already provided everything we need. Far from being the solution, government institutions inevitably fail to solve anything. Matters of the heart are not solved godlessly, coldly, institutionally.
Institutions, like people, act in self-interest -- and the prevailing mode is survival, growth, and care of the institution.
That is so, as opposed to the networking of people around ideals and the creative sharing of gifts and resources to meet the common good. With all due deference to our government, institutions are not "the Way".
Some people seem to believe that "compassion" for the poor begins with encouraging them to lift themselves up. That strikes me as illogical. Why wouldn't we find ways to alleviate systemic problems that adversely affect the welfare of one (group) in oredr to seek justice?
Today I heard the argument advanced that to do so singles out, or lifts up, one group for special interest, and that was not a good idea. As if one cannot lift up one group, and in so doing, lift up others as well? As if, in so doing, one doesn't develop a healthy habit, and attitude, of lifting us all up, together? As if the best policy we can muster as a church is to challenge people to seek the lowest common denominator, one that has zero conflict, zero cost. As if nothing never needs to change, because it was always better the old way.
Yeah, right!
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