Author Archive: Craig

DR: A Prepared Person

August 2, 2022 0 Comments

Read Luke 3:7-20

Preparation: Doing what is needed to get ready for something or someone.

In Vancouver we are regularly reminded by geologists and officials to prepare for “The Big One.” Most of us are not prepared. John the Baptist is preparing people for the coming of Jesus. It’s possible to listen to God’s Word without doing anything. This is a terrible spiritual deceit.

John faced a crowd that heard the good news of the Messiah but perhaps were inclined to do nothing. He addresses their spiritual inertia and calls them to action by warning them.

Notice that when they asked John “what shall we do,” John’s focus for repentance deals with their attitudes and actions about the stuff of earth and the ways they relate to people: to a neighbour with less, or to the person on the other side of a business transaction, or to the persons who come under their authority. John insists that in respect to the coming Messiah, they had to deal with greed by sharing, restraining themselves from taking more than required, and by being content with what they have.

In John’s understanding these dynamics of greed, deception, and power could profoundly affect one’s receptively to the Messiah who was coming with the fire of the Spirit. All kinds of terrible things have been done to people because of greed in our hearts.

In respect to Jesus a prepared person is a receptive person. A prepared person is ready to hear and respond to the Presence and Word of Jesus for He will have lordship over all our relationships.

Heavenly Father, send your Spirit and grant me a generous love for you; warm my heart and mind so that I respond to you. I repent of greed, of entitlement, and of contempt whereby I may miss the company of Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Daily Readings, Discipleship

Prayer of the People

August 2, 2022 0 Comments

Heavenly Father, you are the Lord of all Creation; You spoke, “Let there be light” and there was light. Your Son Jesus is the Light of the World. And now, by His Spirit, His Word illuminates our lives. Thank you for this grace in which we sit, walk, and stand. 

In view of your mercy we ask that you would speak again Lord, to our hearts. “Let there be light.” Awaken us to you. Teach us to walk in Your light and to fellowship with each other in this world according to your grace and truth. 

We confess that we may fear having the truth exposed in your light. First we tremble at the thought of your holiness. Save us according to your Word and not our word. Forgive our sins and may willful sin not rule over us. Second we tremble at the thought of being out of step with our world. Your light invites us into what is unfamiliar and makes us look peculiar. Please replace our fear of people with your perfect love. 

We long for leaders who walk in the light, who lead with wisdom and who pursue justice. We ask that You will bring Your comfort and help to those traumatized by violence, greed, and cold apathy. Both the one who raises the hand in anger and the one who receives it have suffered. Your revealing light that can usher us all into healing and reconciliation. Have mercy Lord.

In view of your mercy, Lord, we offer ourselves to you as that which has been made alive. By your resurrection from the dead you have lifted us up with you. May your love be evident in our lives for the glory of God.

We pray now as you have taught us — (Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer) 

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one;
for yours is the kingdom,and the power, and the glory, 
forever. 
Amen.

Prayer

DR: Finding A Voice

July 29, 2022 0 Comments

Read Luke 3:1-6

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar… the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.”  vs. 1

While the average person was going about their lives in John’s day the drama of empire, or “the game of thrones,” went on around them. The centre’s of power were occupied by people who would try to make a name for themselves. But the word of God found a young man in the wilderness, a no-body in a no-place, and formed in him a voice that would be heard, a voice that would prepare people to see God’s salvation — Jesus the Christ, a voice that would call people to repentance from sin and point them to God’s forgiveness for sin.

That was God’s call formed in John. God’s word must be embodied. To find our own voice in the midst of empire requires that we know who we are, where we came from, and what matters most. Otherwise we will just go with the flow of empire— power and security seeking domination over others. Oh, Word of God come! 

Heavenly Father, grant me courage to sit with you in the wildernesses of my life — the desolate and alone spaces. Form within me clarity about who you are and who I am. May clearness of heart before You, generate clarity of speech before people. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Daily Readings, Discipleship, Leadership, Society

DR: Misunderstood

July 28, 2022 0 Comments

Read Luke 2:36-52

“Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

How often are children not understood? The experience of not being understood can be frustrating and alienating. Jesus does not seem to respond this way. He does seem to wonder at the anxiety contained by Mary and Joseph. His presence in the Temple seems reasonable and even necessary. Mary and Joseph’s anxiety seems reasonable too as parents. Jesus though even at twelve demonstrates a calm presence. He does not try to rescue his parents from their sense of being victimized by His pursuit of God.

In our pursuit of God and by aligning ourselves with His will we may be misunderstood. Our anxieties about that could produce resentment. But Jesus shows us another way.

Our Heavenly Father, grant me the grace of a character shaped by You. Help me manage my internal world and anxieties so that I may fully enter into relationships and the realities of this world fully responsive and obedient to You without fear, rage, or bitterness.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Daily Readings, Discipleship, Relationships

DR: Who are you waiting on?

July 27, 2022 0 Comments

Read Luke 2:25-35

“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.” v. 30-32

Simeon was responsive to the Holy Spirit and moved when prompted to recognize Jesus — He was waiting for “the consolation of Israel.”

Lord I’m thankful for the grace of knowing you. Give me more grace that I may I recognize you in the comings and goings of my day. Move me by your Spirit as you moved Simeon.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Daily Readings, Discipleship